Greekey

iTrader: (3)

Guys im in the process of swapping cams on my 2000 trans am a long with heads. I still have the stock heads on the engine and im getting closer to pulling out the stock cam. Do the heads have to be disassembled before I can pull the cam out because of the lifters? Or can I just install my lifter tool to hold them off the cam with the heads still on and not touched? Do the push rods have to come out before you can use your lifter tool?

Whiteaw57

iTrader: (2)

You can do it however you like. If it were me and I was taking the heads off Id just pull the heads and pull the lifters out. You have new ones im sure anyway. If you want to leave the heads on then yes you need to pull the rockers and pushrods out to take pressure off the lifters and right before you put the lifter tools in just give the cam a couple of quick sharp spins to seat the lifters up in their cups so you can get the tool in. Good luck

01ssreda4

iTrader: (96)

Yes, the pushrods must come out to use the lifter tool. Pull the coil packs, valve covers, rocker arms and pushrods. Are you using the LS1howto write up?

Greekey

iTrader: (3)

Yes, im using ls1howto. Thanks for the help. Would of been a nightmare if I tried pulling the cam with the push rods still in. It's my first time doing this so im just being cautious. Everything has gone excellent so far.

Whiteaw57

iTrader: (2)

haha it wouldnt have come out nor would it move with pressure on the lifters. If youre pulling heads I would honestly just pull them and take the lifters out. Btw when the cam is ready to come out it will spin very freely.

garygnu

remove push rods ,spin cam,insert 5/16 dowels ,remove cam.drink beer.

vettenuts

iTrader: (4)

If you are removing the heads, leave the cam in place until the heads and lifters are out of the motor, then remove the cam. Even though you use the rods, the rods don't prevent the lifters from sliding down and interfering with cam removal, they only prevent them from dropping into the pan. Why risk it if you are pulling the heads anyhow.

Whiteaw57

iTrader: (2)

^^^^^x2

Whiteaw57

iTrader: (2)

When I put the cam in my buddies T/A we had to use a screwdriver and push a lifter back up because it had slid down and wouldnt let the cam in.