Generation III Internal Engine 1997-2006 LS1 | LS6
Sponsored by:
Sponsored by:

Simple Cam Swap goes BAD

Thread Tools
 
Search this Thread
 
Old Sep 13, 2010 | 11:50 AM
  #1  
the_blue_rider84's Avatar
Thread Starter
On The Tree
iTrader: (1)
 
Joined: Jul 2007
Posts: 108
Likes: 0
From: York, SC
Talking Simple Cam Swap goes BAD

So I went down to the shop sat. morning to swap the cam and springs. I planned on firing it up that night. I was down to the part where I use the lifter tool to keep them from falling.

AND THEN.......

I stuck a magnet in the pushrod hole and it got stuck in the damn retainer. The bastard magnet broke off down in there.

So all day sat., half a day sunday, and now tonight and I should finally hear it run.

I will post up some pics of the aftermath of breaking a magnet later along with the startup video.

BE CAREFUL OR JUST DONT USE A MAGNET!!!!!!
Reply
Old Sep 13, 2010 | 12:20 PM
  #2  
sscamaroburn02's Avatar
TECH Addict
20 Year Member
Photogenic
Photoriffic
Shutterbug
iTrader: (14)
 
Joined: Sep 2005
Posts: 2,052
Likes: 7
Default

well at least you got it right. took alot more time but once you hear your car with new cam it will be worth it.
Reply
Old Sep 13, 2010 | 02:18 PM
  #3  
Silvy6.0's Avatar
TECH Resident
iTrader: (5)
 
Joined: Nov 2008
Posts: 999
Likes: 0
From: Arkansas
Default

Damn man. I always just go to Wal-Mart and buy two 5/16" dowl rods. I think they are only like $.40 each. Cheap insurance and it's guaranteed!!!
Reply
Old Sep 13, 2010 | 02:20 PM
  #4  
SSmoken's Avatar
11 Second Club
iTrader: (26)
 
Joined: Oct 2006
Posts: 2,140
Likes: 0
From: S.W. Missouri
Default

Originally Posted by Silvy6.0
Damn man. I always just go to Wal-Mart and buy two 5/16" dowl rods. I think they are only like $.40 each. Cheap insurance and it's guaranteed!!!
same here. sorry to hear about the bad luck. you will forget about that once she fires up.
Reply
Old Sep 13, 2010 | 02:23 PM
  #5  
STAGEUP's Avatar
TECH Regular
 
Joined: Nov 2005
Posts: 487
Likes: 0
From: Gilbert, AZ
Default

Originally Posted by Silvy6.0
Damn man. I always just go to Wal-Mart and buy two 5/16" dowl rods. I think they are only like $.40 each. Cheap insurance and it's guaranteed!!!
This has worked for me about 20 million times. lol
Reply
Old Sep 13, 2010 | 02:27 PM
  #6  
ae13291's Avatar
Banned
iTrader: (8)
 
Joined: Jun 2007
Posts: 3,093
Likes: 1
From: san fernando valley, california
Default

i had the same thing happen. i used the dowels and one of the lifters dident want to stay up so i stuck a magnet in there and then got a little worried that it wasent coming out so i yanked on it harder then i broke the magnet in there took all night to get it out, i ended up using that scissor looking tool the doctors use and i was able to get it out.
Reply
Old Sep 13, 2010 | 02:33 PM
  #7  
WYATT318MOPAR's Avatar
TECH Enthusiast
iTrader: (28)
 
Joined: Apr 2008
Posts: 591
Likes: 0
From: Grayson, KY 41143
Default

So after almost giving completely up, you smoked a joint and then used the hemostats to pull the magnet from the engine. Classic...... Now lets hear it
Reply
Old Sep 13, 2010 | 02:53 PM
  #8  
NVR_SPDS's Avatar
TECH Addict
iTrader: (39)
 
Joined: Aug 2003
Posts: 2,129
Likes: 3
From: Virginia
Default

That sucks to hear! I used the rods like everyone else, and it worked great.. What cam went in?
Reply
LS1 Tech Stories

The Best V8 Stories One Small Block at Time

story-0

Amazing '71 Camaro Restomod Is Modern Muscle Car Under the Skin

 Verdad Gallardo
story-1

6 Common C5 Corvette Failures and What's Involved In Repairing Them

 Pouria Savadkouei
story-2

Retro Modern Bandit Pontiac Trans AM Comes With Burt Reynolds' Autograph

 Verdad Gallardo
story-3

Top 10 Greatest Cadillac V Series Performance Models Ever, Ranked

 Pouria Savadkouei
story-4

Top 10 Most Powerful Chevy Trucks Ever Made!

 
story-5

Hennessey's New Supercharged Silverado ZR2 Has 700 HP

 Verdad Gallardo
story-6

Coachbuilt N2A Anteros Is an LS2-Powered C6 Corvette In Italian Clothes

 Verdad Gallardo
story-7

Awesome K5 Blazer Restomod Comes With C7 Corvette Power

 Verdad Gallardo
story-8

10 Camaros You Should Never Buy

 
story-9

10 LS Engine Myths That Refuse to Die

 Verdad Gallardo
Old Sep 13, 2010 | 04:07 PM
  #9  
shiv15's Avatar
TECH Resident
iTrader: (7)
 
Joined: Sep 2006
Posts: 846
Likes: 0
From: Flint, MI
Default

Sucks about the magnet!
Kind off topic but we tried using dowels in two different motors and they didn't look like they were doing anything. We shined a light down and it didn't seem like they'd stop a lifter falling.
Reply
Old Sep 13, 2010 | 04:16 PM
  #10  
Damian's Avatar
LSX Mechanic
20 Year Member
Photogenic
Photoriffic
Shutterbug
iTrader: (89)
 
Joined: Nov 2001
Posts: 10,396
Likes: 14
From: Atlanta
Default

1999 called, they want their cam swap ideas back.

People need to quit using the magnets for this reason alone. I had this happen to me as well back in 2000, and that was the last time I ever used magnets.

Spin the cam in both directions abruptly to throw all the lifters in their retainers, slide 2 steel 5/16 rods in each hole, and pull the cam out.
Reply
Old Sep 13, 2010 | 05:05 PM
  #11  
ss454327's Avatar
TECH Enthusiast
iTrader: (10)
 
Joined: Sep 2008
Posts: 619
Likes: 1
From: Scott, AR
Default

Originally Posted by Damian
1999 called, they want their cam swap ideas back.

People need to quit using the magnets for this reason alone. I had this happen to me as well back in 2000, and that was the last time I ever used magnets.

Spin the cam in both directions abruptly to throw all the lifters in their retainers, slide 2 steel 5/16 rods in each hole, and pull the cam out.

Ok so explain to me how I will be doing it since I have an LQ9 and have been told there are no holes to slide dowels into?
Reply
Old Sep 13, 2010 | 05:08 PM
  #12  
mike c.'s Avatar
10 Second Club
iTrader: (1)
 
Joined: Mar 2002
Posts: 4,031
Likes: 2
From: mi
Default

in seven cam swaps i have NEVER used magnets or a tool to hold up the lifters. No problems like you have.
Reply
Old Sep 13, 2010 | 06:04 PM
  #13  
rooster18's Avatar
Staging Lane
15 Year Member
iTrader: (2)
 
Joined: Jun 2010
Posts: 75
Likes: 0
From: Kiln,MS
Default

can someone post pics of the holes to slide the dowels in. i will be tearing into mine this weekend for a cam swap and was going to be using the magnet method but after reading this i am kinda sketchy. would rather go for the sure thing
Reply
Old Sep 13, 2010 | 06:16 PM
  #14  
Josh18Fan's Avatar
On The Tree
iTrader: (2)
 
Joined: Mar 2008
Posts: 146
Likes: 1
From: Tucson, AZ
Default

Originally Posted by rooster18
can someone post pics of the holes to slide the dowels in. i will be tearing into mine this weekend for a cam swap and was going to be using the magnet method but after reading this i am kinda sketchy. would rather go for the sure thing


These are the two holes, on either side of the elongated "bowtie" behind the cam retainer plate. Insert the dowel rods into those holes after spinning the cam fully in both directions to ensure that the lifters are up in their bores.
Reply
Old Sep 13, 2010 | 06:17 PM
  #15  
Josh18Fan's Avatar
On The Tree
iTrader: (2)
 
Joined: Mar 2008
Posts: 146
Likes: 1
From: Tucson, AZ
Default

Originally Posted by ss454327
Ok so explain to me how I will be doing it since I have an LQ9 and have been told there are no holes to slide dowels into?
LQ9's have the holes as well. Look at the post above this one for details.
Reply
Old Sep 13, 2010 | 06:22 PM
  #16  
Funkster's Avatar
12 Second Club
iTrader: (97)
 
Joined: Jul 2006
Posts: 990
Likes: 0
From: Urbandale, Iowa
Default

Shitty, at least you got it though.
Reply
Old Sep 13, 2010 | 08:45 PM
  #17  
99wssixm6's Avatar
TECH Apprentice
20 Year Member
Photogenic
iTrader: (3)
 
Joined: Nov 2005
Posts: 324
Likes: 1
From: Winter Park FL.
Default

Same here and I had to pull the passanger side head......I also will never use a magnet tool. The $50 in head bolts and gakets sucks but I was so pissed to pull a stock head off and put a stock head back on. My Fiance' ask what was wrong and I told her it was like having a miss-carriage - all that work and nothing to show for it!!!
Reply
Old Sep 13, 2010 | 10:27 PM
  #18  
Damian's Avatar
LSX Mechanic
20 Year Member
Photogenic
Photoriffic
Shutterbug
iTrader: (89)
 
Joined: Nov 2001
Posts: 10,396
Likes: 14
From: Atlanta
Default

Originally Posted by ss454327
Ok so explain to me how I will be doing it since I have an LQ9 and have been told there are no holes to slide dowels into?
Yes sir, it does have the holes.
Reply
Old Sep 13, 2010 | 10:32 PM
  #19  
beedo's Avatar
TECH Apprentice
iTrader: (28)
 
Joined: Jul 2005
Posts: 346
Likes: 2
From: Mansfield, TX
Default

Originally Posted by mike c.
in seven cam swaps i have NEVER used magnets or a tool to hold up the lifters. No problems like you have.
Better knock on wood before you attempt another swap! I have done a few swaps with nothing but the retainers holding the lifters up but I got paranoid and now I use the rods.
Reply
Old Sep 13, 2010 | 11:32 PM
  #20  
kmracer's Avatar
TECH Fanatic
iTrader: (1)
 
Joined: Jul 2006
Posts: 1,444
Likes: 0
From: Washington DC
Default

i had the same thing happen to me, shitty harbour frieght magnets. sucked, i thought i was gonna have to pull the intake off. after fighting it for 2 hours i got it.
Reply



All times are GMT -5. The time now is 08:56 AM.

story-0
Amazing '71 Camaro Restomod Is Modern Muscle Car Under the Skin

Slideshow: This heavily modified 1971 Camaro mixes classic muscle car styling with a fifth-generation Camaro interior and modern LS3 power.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-05-12 18:06:42


VIEW MORE
story-1
6 Common C5 Corvette Failures and What's Involved In Repairing Them

Slideshow: From wobbling harmonic balancers to failed EBCMs, these are the issues that define long-term C5 ownership and what repairs typically involve.

By Pouria Savadkouei | 2026-05-07 18:44:57


VIEW MORE
story-2
Retro Modern Bandit Pontiac Trans AM Comes With Burt Reynolds' Autograph

Slideshow: A modern Camaro transformed into a retro icon, this limited-run "Bandit" build blends nostalgia with brute force in a way few revivals manage.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-04-21 13:57:02


VIEW MORE
story-3
Top 10 Greatest Cadillac V Series Performance Models Ever, Ranked

Slideshow: Cadillac didn't just crash the high-performance luxury vehicle party, it showed up loud, supercharged, and occasionally a little unhinged...

By Pouria Savadkouei | 2026-04-16 10:05:15


VIEW MORE
story-4
Top 10 Most Powerful Chevy Trucks Ever Made!

Slideshow: Top ten most powerful Chevy trucks ever made

By | 2026-03-25 09:22:26


VIEW MORE
story-5
Hennessey's New Supercharged Silverado ZR2 Has 700 HP

Slideshow: Hennessey has turned the Silverado ZR2 into a 700-hp off-road monster with supercharged V8 power and a limited production run.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-03-24 18:57:52


VIEW MORE
story-6
Coachbuilt N2A Anteros Is an LS2-Powered C6 Corvette In Italian Clothes

Slideshow: A one-off sports car that looks like a vintage Italian exotic-but hides a C6 Corvette underneath-just sold for the price of a new mid-engine Corvette.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-03-23 18:53:41


VIEW MORE
story-7
Awesome K5 Blazer Restomod Comes With C7 Corvette Power

Slideshow: A heavily reworked 1972 K5 Blazer swaps its off-road roots for a low-slung street-focused build with modern V8 power.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-03-09 18:08:45


VIEW MORE
story-8
10 Camaros You Should Never Buy

Slideshow: There are thousands of used Camaros on the market but we think you should avoid these 10

By | 2026-02-17 17:09:30


VIEW MORE
story-9
10 LS Engine Myths That Refuse to Die

Slideshows: Which one of these myths do you believe?

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-01-28 18:10:11


VIEW MORE