Is air tools a must for swapping just the cam? I had them when we put it in as well as the valve springs (but those are staying in). TIA

 

no. i've yet to use my air tools on my head and 2 cams swaps. used the TDC method changing the springs and my 2 breaker bars and regular sears tools for everything else needed.

 

what is the trick to gettin' that balancer bolt out,that sob is tight

 

No air tools are not... in fact they should not be used, they can break off bolts, round them, or over torque them. Don't even use an impact wrench on the crank bolt. I used a breaker bar, let it hang down towards the ground, and then I layed down on the and use my legs to push the bar while bracing myself on the tire. It will remove the bolt like its nothing...

edited for spelling....

 

I've never used any airtools for my camswaps, other than when I used one once to fill the cylinders with air to hold the valves up.

 

breaker bar

i got a 24" and a 15" set; best damn 2 tools i ever bought.

 

Agree.. same here... and if that doesn't work I have a 36" piece of galvanized pipe I slip over one of the breaker bars as a cheater bar. Bolts WILL come out.

 

Air tools are nice, but you don't really NEED them for much of anything.