So I am going to install a new cam in my motor, when I pull the water pump, front cover and the cam cover there are two (2) holes on either side of the cam. I plan on sticking a rod of some sort into these holes to keep the lifters from dropping.

What would I use for this? Copper pipe, threaded rod, something else? What size and how long? Could I pick up this "Make-shift" tool at Lowes?

Thanks guys, have a great Memorial Weekend!

Chad

 

Threaded rod would work but most use wooden dowels

 

I use a 5/16 metal rod on either side. I used wooden dowel 1 time and never again. I had to take the oil pan off during the swap and luckily I did because there were slivers of wood from the dowels in the pan.

 

The rod will do nothing to prevent the lifters from dropping a little bit, which would still require you to pull the heads to install the cam. The rod only prevents the lifter from falling all the way into the bottom of the motor. Correct me if I'm wrong.

 

The cam IS replaceable with out head removal. In fact, after removing the pushrods, rotating the cam a full turn will push the lifters up into the lifter trays where they will "stick" in the lifted position to enable cam removal and replacement.

 

You absolutely can remove and replace the cam with the rods in place. Put the rods in, spin the cam a few times, then pull the cam out.

 

Cam replacement done many times without rods. Once cam is spun, lifter trays will retain lifters in a raised position

 

Lots of people get away with this. IMO it's like playing Russian roulette.

The 5/16" wood dowels work best. But better bite on the lifters. They pretty well lock in place. You do need to spin the cam a few times to raise the lifters before inserting the dowels.

 

I never said it couldn't be done with the heads on. I just said that the rod is NOT going to guarantee that a lifter isn't going to drop a little bit. If one does drop, then your cam is not going to slide in. It WILL however prevent the lifters from falling out and making their way all the way to the bottom of the motor. Maybe my words weren't clear enough.

 

Since I have link bar lifters, I bought some threaded rod and put magnets on the end and secured with shrink wrap with put wing nuts on the other. I then used them to hold the link-bar lifters up and out of the way to do cam changes.

But with lifter trays, they help hold them up. But you have to spin the cam pretty fast to get them all to jump up. At which point, I'd use some rod stock or something as a safety precaution. If they fall back onto the cam as you pull it out (or put the new one in), you can damage the cam or the lifters. And for what? It's not expensive. Just get some 3/8" bar and have it cut to what 25" or whatever at Home Depot.

 

Thanks guys, have a great Memorial weekend!

Chad

 

I have taken cams out and the lifters stayed up. I have taken cams out and the lifters fell, even with new trays. It's a crap shoot. Good luck Chad. Just take it slow and cross your fingers if you don't use a dowl.