lusting4ls1

iTrader: (15)

i know i have seen the use of metal dowel rods to hold the lifters up. can anyone tell me what size and where to get them from?

what valve spring tool is everybody using? is there a cheaper alternative to the $129 thunder racing tool and the $100 comp tool?

the cam install is costing me enough and was just wondering if someone could point me in the direction where i dont have to spend $200 on specialty tools.

thanks

laytoncamaroz28

iTrader: (10)

i used 5/16 brake on one cam install to hold the lifters, but iv done 4 or 5 cam installs after that without using anything. for the valve spring tool i used a piece i bought on this forum called tim's tool i beleive cost around 35 bucks. and instead of using a compression kit to hold the valves up, i just used the tops of the pistons.

mark21742

Have just relied on the lifter cups to hold my lifters up, but that is taking a chance....5/16" towel, wood or metal should work great... just take the cam gear off, the the cam cover plate and slide each towel in the lifter oil bore holes all the way to the back of the motor ( might need to rotate your cam a few times)

One of my friends made a metal plate out of 3/8" steel with a notch cut out of it for the valve locks and bolt hole in it that uses the rocker bolt hole and levers against the side of the head to install/ uninstall valve springs....use a compression tester fitting and hook it up to your compressor ( keep air to it the whole time) to hold the valves closed if your swapping springs with the heads on the engine

laytoncamaroz28

iTrader: (10)

https://ls1tech.com/forums/tools-fab...ilable-39.html

lusting4ls1

iTrader: (15)

thanks for the link. that is much cheaper.lol where can i get the metal rods to hold up the lifters?

mark21742

Brake line at the auto parts, or towel at Lowes/ Homedepot

jrpimp00

iTrader: (17)

Wooden dowels, and Tims Tool. Great and cheap.

lusting4ls1

iTrader: (15)

sounds like a good plan to me. thanks for the help.

Paul 75 L82

iTrader: (1)

Google McMaster Carr, they are an online hardware vendor. Bought 2 - 5/16" alum rods 36" long for about $22 plus $4 shipping. Worked great. Shipping was about 2 days. We order from them at work all of the time.

lusting4ls1

iTrader: (15)

^^^i will definetely check that out. thanks for the info

ski23

iTrader: (21)

I bought the Comp cams compressor from Thunder during the sale. Talk about making a spring swap fast and easy...I have the TREX in and waiting to get the pistons flycut. Hopefully I can fire her back up this weekend.

JaYZeig

iTrader: (11)

lol..hopes and dreams..ive just spun the cam, got the lifters into their trays, and held my breath and out with the old and in with the new.

tripblackls1

iTrader: (11)

if you can weld one of the best valve spring tools ive seen is a old rocker thats been modified with arms welded on to sit on the retainer and then sockets welded to the sides to turn it, my local lsx shop made it up and use it all of there cars and is amazing, im going to make a few once i have extra time

lusting4ls1

iTrader: (15)

the roulette method. lol!!! knowing my luck i would have a lifter drop and then all the rest would follow. thats just how things usually go for me when i take a chance on things.

specialized.1

I just did this job. If I ever do it again I will just pull the heads. Don't cheap out on the lifter tool, get a new one and do some searches on here. I used the rods, but they never held up the lifters so I used pen magnets as well. This is not the right way to do this job and I wouldn't recomend it. As for the spring compressor, sure make your own or get one half price on here. I am changing the power steering cooler at this time as well. Fire it up later this weekend. Make sure you have all your parts and give yourself lots of time. Good luck.

OldCobraGuy

iTrader: (2)

You know, I have never once heard of a lifter falling out of a tray during a cam swap. Not once. I'm sure it's happened, but I've never heard of it. I know a lot of folks who swap cams that way.

bayer-z28

iTrader: (14)

x2... I've read to bottom the dowels out int eh engine and cut them 6" longer than the block. $4 insurance against dropped lifters.

I was actually just thinking of making one of these out of some bar stock. Just cut an ovaled hole out just big enough to sneak the locks out.

dannyo210

iTrader: (1)

1/4 or 5/16" dowel rod, brake line works too. I just used Tim's Tool on my valve spring swap and it worked out nicely. Also I used the air fitting with my compressor to lock the valves in place. It was kind of a pain to thread in to the spark plug holes, I ended up making a shorter hose for it

02SOMLS1WS6

I was wondering what method was best to hold the valves up. What is the best way to accomplish this, sorry if this is a

mark21742

I like using the compression tester with the air compressor hooked up to it...but be sure to keep air to it till you get the spring and lock back on the valve.