Chevy Guy

iTrader: (2)

Quick question to you all, I was wondering what exactly does the lifter hold up tools, or aluminum dowels (like I am going to use) actually contact to hold up the lifters? I've seen a few bare LS blocks and they seem to have a bevel in the lifter bores, but what part of the lifter to they contact to hold them up? Just curious because I am doing my cam soon and wanted to know.

From what I have heard, 5/16 aluminum dowels work well, any thoughts?

1964_442

iTrader: (5)

I was thinking same thing , hope someone reply to this

ramairJP

iTrader: (3)

The lifters have an area about halfway up the bore that is turned to a smaller diameter. The 5/16" dowel passes by this area, and the larger diameter above it can't pass by the dowel. If you google image search "ls1 lifter" you'll see how it works out.

sickwhips26

iTrader: (2)

Just Make sure all the lifters are up. with my cam swap i used the 5/16 aluminum dowel rod and one of my lifters didnt hold up as i turned the motor over to get the lifters up to insert the dowel rod well long story short i still managed to drop a lifter. luckily i was able to sit indian style in the front of my engine and look through the cam hole and saw it barley sitting there so i grabbed a magnet and a buddy with a magnet from the top side through the pushrod hole was able to lift and guide it in with out it falling into the oil pan. lol that was the scariest hour of my life lol anyway what im trying to say is that on engines with some miles on them be careful cuz some of the lifters lose their "hold" or it could of been user error lol

lower_the_dynamite

iTrader: (22)

What he said^. A quick video of the dowles I made and where they go for reference. Just makde sure that after they are in, no lifter is hitting a cam lobe.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1PcEiwAYe2k

Bo White

iTrader: (59)

Have the new cam prepped and ready to install within arms reach when you pull the old cam out. Time is of the essence lol. Dont rush the the new cam sliding it in though, dont knick a cam bearing or bump a lifter that may have slid down a touch. I have also heard guys go get 16 retractable magnets and slide em down the push rod holes up against the lifters, added security and peace of mind.

TipsyMcStagger

iTrader: (1)

Bump for a dumb question:

With the engine on a stand, is it not viable to rotate the engine upside down and let gravity hold the lifters clear of the cam?

Tipsy

garygnu

you can use some 5/16 brake lines .

NITROUS JUNKY

I have a set of aluminum dowels i bought from home depot for about $5. they always have worked for me.

jsteele90

iTrader: (13)

i use heavy duty zipties, work great.

thunderstruck507

iTrader: (18)

yes you can

LilJayV10

iTrader: (39)

I use wooden dowel rods. I wouldn't feel comfortable using metal rods unless they were the exact size made for the job. Just my .02.

IIRC I used 5/16 wooden dowel rods. One side goes in easy but the other side is tight.

huggerorange69

iTrader: (7)

I go buy some 5/16 brake line

poltergeist 02

iTrader: (65)

This ^^^^ I use the same thing.