Remove Heads for cam/spring change
Thread Starter
TECH Apprentice
Joined: Jul 2010
Posts: 363
Likes: 1
From: Huntsville, AL
Remove Heads for cam/spring change Does anybody recommend removing the heads for a cam/spring change?...just seems like it might be about as easy to remove the heads than to try to change the springs with it still on the car...?
What he said or you can use the TDC method. It works good too. The only way I would suggest to remove the heads would be due to a slight lifter tick cause a cam change will only magnify the problem. Other than that leave them on.
Launching!
Joined: Sep 2009
Posts: 260
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From: SOUTH CAROLINA
Hi,your project will require patience,frustration and a few special tools. Exercise caution to assure cam is properly installed. Use caution on o-ring for oil pump. Double check your work and torque specs to avoid issues. Top off fluids and check for leaks. Change oil and filter. Best of luck and work safely.
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i tried changing springs with the heads on the car, and it was a pain in the ***...i got 3 springs off and said F-it im pulling the heads. after 3 locks took off flying across the garage, i gave up.
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With the right tools, changing valve springs in the car is easy.
I don't see why anyone would want to cost themselves a new set of head bolts and head gaskets for no reason. Just get the right tools.
I don't see why anyone would want to cost themselves a new set of head bolts and head gaskets for no reason. Just get the right tools.
Joined: Aug 2007
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From: Turnin' Wrenches Infractions: 005
Registered User
Joined: Apr 2011
Posts: 4
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From: Oakboro
No need to take the heads off. I've done a few vettes, turn you cam over and make sure you lifters are up. You can take chance and slide you cam in slowly from there. A smarter idea is to get16 cheap expendable magnets and hold the lifters up with them for some added peace of mind. Make sure you have the spark plug hole fitting to hold the valves up when you change springs.
Good luck man
Good luck man
TDC and the Comp (or similar) air tool to pressurize the cylinders! No need to pull heads for a spring swap!
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Largest Stocking Distributor of LS-x Engines / CHECK OUT OUR NEW WEBSITE!
COMP - FAST - PACESETTER - DIAMOND RACING - EAGLE SPECIALTY PRODUCTS - CALLIES - COMETIC GASKETS
RAM CLUTCHES - MOSER ENGINEERING - KOOK'S HEADERS - ARP - GM BOLTS AND GASKETS - MSD - NGK
POWERBOND - ASP - AND MORE!
i bought a valve spring compressor off this forum called tim's tool a guy in here designed it and it was cheap and works great, if you decide to do the swap with thte heads on i recommend getting two metal doll rods to hold the lifter up u can buy a fancy tool with a handle but its way over priced and you local hardware should have metal dolls
The reason people are having locks "fly across the room" is because you're not knocking them loose first. Take a 3/4 socket, put it over the top of each spring, and give 2-3 taps with a hammer. This will break the locks loose inside the retainer, and they'll fall right out once the spring is compressed.
You can actually bend a valve if you don't release the locks, use the TDC method, and just smash the valves down on top of the piston to break locks free. Not a good idea.
You can actually bend a valve if you don't release the locks, use the TDC method, and just smash the valves down on top of the piston to break locks free. Not a good idea.
