fastmaro

I ran into these rods that hold up the lifters while swapping the cam so that you dont have to worry about them falling or hurrying the swap and was wondering if there was an alternative to this tool. It doesnt look like a complex tool or something really complicated and wondering if something can be substituted for this because I cant justify paying $85 for this tool. Has anyone figured out something that they can use without forking out a lot of money?

Juiced

iTrader: (2)

16 $1 pen magnets from home depot.

kemmert

When I get around to my cam swap I am gonna try 5/16" wooden dowels.

ILLWS6

iTrader: (13)

Yep, the search button still works
https://ls1tech.com/forums/showthrea...am+lifter+tool

fastmaro

That post is kind of a toss up between 5/16" wooden or metal rods and the pen magnets. Not sure what the Russian Roulette method is. The rod idea doesnt seem like it could fail, its just a matter of it sliding through. I really couldnt tell from the pic, but the JPR tool just looked like 2 rods. Maybe there's more to it than I can see.

777

iTrader: (21)

get the dowel rods...much easier than the pen magnets and i imagine much cheaper...russian roulette method is just doing nothing and praying to God that the lifters don't drop

fastmaro

Are dowel rods wooden, metal, or both? Do I need to modify them in anyway, or will they work just as they come?

Thanks for the clarification on the Russian Roulette method.

Black Z/28

Here's a recent post that might help you:
https://ls1tech.com/forums/tools-fabrication/235106-camshaft-installation-tool.html

fastmaro

Sweet, thanks for the link. I know what I'll be doing now.

kickassT/A

iTrader: (3)

i've only had one car that i've ever had problems with, and it was worn out way before i put the cam in. just spin the cam over, and listen closely. if a lifter is going to fall out of the cup, you'll hear it hit the cam. if everything is quiet, then spin it over again for good measure, pull one out, put one in. just don't screw around while you have the cam out. if you do hear one drop, go get some 5/16" wooden dowels for $.99 and shove them in.

94bamf

Does anybody have a picture of the BLOCK, and the holes these things slid in?

Black Z/28

Here's a couple:

tim99ws6

iTrader: (31)

or this

sickss228

iTrader: (27)

Be aware that the 5/16 dowel doesnt always work, the dowel only went in one side of my motor so I had to use the magnets on the other side but who knows it might work, but if it doesnt don't force it, good luck

tomaSS

iTrader: (1)

I tried the rod method but got pissed off because the driver side would not go in. So I just did the Russian Roulette Method. Worked like a charm! Good luck.

35th SS

iTrader: (2)

I concur on the russian roulette method.did it and was done with it.

Boosted LS1

I've missed something here. Why the need for different sized dowels? I've only done the roulette application

Black Z/28

The hole of the left side is tighter (somehow). But that's why most people grind a flat side on the 5/16inch rod. For the left side I used 3/16 wrapped in velcro. It made for a nice tight fit. On the right side I used 5/16 and it fit perfectly.