Issue with cam install
12-03-2017, 01:23 PM
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Issue with cam install Hey y'all, currently in the middle of a cam swap for my LS1 Camaro and I accidentally made a mistake. Looking for some assistance.
I installed the cam, measured for proper pushrod length etc. then finally got to the point where I installed the rocker arms and pushrods and torqued the rockers down to spec. I followed the GM service manual procedure for the proper way to torque down the rockers. All was well until a little later when I was wrapping up the rest of the install and I noticed that I forgot to install the rocker stand on the passenger side. I must have been moving too quick and I forgot this key component. I have since removed all rockers and pushrods and figured I would start over the rocker torquing process. Here's where I noticed an issue: On the passenger side which is the side where I forgot to install the rocker stand, I can see that a couple of the valve stems aren't level with the rest, these couple valve stems are basically a little low in comparison. My assumption here is that a couple of the valves aren't fully shut because without the rocker stand the springs were probably binding when the rockers were torqued down. I hooked up my air compressor hose to the spark plug hole for one of the cylinders so I could remove the springs associated with that cylinder and with hopes that it would push the valves up. However, I am not getting any pressure when I hook up the air hose, the air just blows through, which unfortunately doesn't surprise me. For good measure, I hooked up my air hose to one of the spark plug holes on the driver's side and it builds pressure as it should. I took the risk and removed one of the springs on the passenger side and the valve did not drop and I am able to open and close the valve with my hand but even with it closed it is still not level with some of the other valve stems. I am so confused here and I am just not quite sure where to go from here. How do I go about getting a couple of these valves to fully close? Did I mess anything up? My car has factory stock 243 heads so no work have ever been done to them.
edit: Here is a pic, notice the valve stem on the left sits a touch lower than the one on the right
I installed the cam, measured for proper pushrod length etc. then finally got to the point where I installed the rocker arms and pushrods and torqued the rockers down to spec. I followed the GM service manual procedure for the proper way to torque down the rockers. All was well until a little later when I was wrapping up the rest of the install and I noticed that I forgot to install the rocker stand on the passenger side. I must have been moving too quick and I forgot this key component. I have since removed all rockers and pushrods and figured I would start over the rocker torquing process. Here's where I noticed an issue: On the passenger side which is the side where I forgot to install the rocker stand, I can see that a couple of the valve stems aren't level with the rest, these couple valve stems are basically a little low in comparison. My assumption here is that a couple of the valves aren't fully shut because without the rocker stand the springs were probably binding when the rockers were torqued down. I hooked up my air compressor hose to the spark plug hole for one of the cylinders so I could remove the springs associated with that cylinder and with hopes that it would push the valves up. However, I am not getting any pressure when I hook up the air hose, the air just blows through, which unfortunately doesn't surprise me. For good measure, I hooked up my air hose to one of the spark plug holes on the driver's side and it builds pressure as it should. I took the risk and removed one of the springs on the passenger side and the valve did not drop and I am able to open and close the valve with my hand but even with it closed it is still not level with some of the other valve stems. I am so confused here and I am just not quite sure where to go from here. How do I go about getting a couple of these valves to fully close? Did I mess anything up? My car has factory stock 243 heads so no work have ever been done to them.
edit: Here is a pic, notice the valve stem on the left sits a touch lower than the one on the right
Last edited by IggyLS; 12-03-2017 at 03:41 PM.
12-03-2017, 02:13 PM
#2
Hey y'all, currently in the middle of a cam swap for my LS1 Camaro and I accidentally made a mistake. Looking for some assistance.
I installed the cam, measured for proper pushrod length etc. then finally got to the point where I installed the rocker arms and pushrods and torqued the rockers down to spec. I followed the GM service manual procedure for the proper way to torque down the rockers. All was well until a little later when I was wrapping up the rest of the install and I noticed that I forgot to install the rocker stand on the passenger side. I must have been moving too quick and I forgot this key component. I have since removed all rockers and pushrods and figured I would start over the rocker torquing process. Here's where I noticed an issue: On the passenger side which is the side where I forgot to install the rocker stand, I can see that a couple of the valve stems aren't level with the rest, these couple valve stems are basically a little low in comparison. My assumption here is that a couple of the valves aren't fully shut because without the rocker stand the springs were probably binding when the rockers were torqued down. I hooked up my air compressor hose to the spark plug hole for one of the cylinders so I could remove the springs associated with that cylinder and with hopes that it would push the valves up. However, I am not getting any pressure when I hook up the air hose, the air just blows through, which unfortunately doesn't surprise me. For good measure, I hooked up my air hose to one of the spark plug holes on the driver's side and it builds pressure as it should. I took the risk and removed one of the springs on the passenger side and the valve did not drop and I am able to open and close the valve with my hand but even with it closed it is still not level with some of the other valve stems. I am so confused here and I am just not quite sure where to go from here. How do I go about getting a couple of these valves to fully close? Did I mess anything up? My car has factory stock heads so no work have ever been done to them.
I installed the cam, measured for proper pushrod length etc. then finally got to the point where I installed the rocker arms and pushrods and torqued the rockers down to spec. I followed the GM service manual procedure for the proper way to torque down the rockers. All was well until a little later when I was wrapping up the rest of the install and I noticed that I forgot to install the rocker stand on the passenger side. I must have been moving too quick and I forgot this key component. I have since removed all rockers and pushrods and figured I would start over the rocker torquing process. Here's where I noticed an issue: On the passenger side which is the side where I forgot to install the rocker stand, I can see that a couple of the valve stems aren't level with the rest, these couple valve stems are basically a little low in comparison. My assumption here is that a couple of the valves aren't fully shut because without the rocker stand the springs were probably binding when the rockers were torqued down. I hooked up my air compressor hose to the spark plug hole for one of the cylinders so I could remove the springs associated with that cylinder and with hopes that it would push the valves up. However, I am not getting any pressure when I hook up the air hose, the air just blows through, which unfortunately doesn't surprise me. For good measure, I hooked up my air hose to one of the spark plug holes on the driver's side and it builds pressure as it should. I took the risk and removed one of the springs on the passenger side and the valve did not drop and I am able to open and close the valve with my hand but even with it closed it is still not level with some of the other valve stems. I am so confused here and I am just not quite sure where to go from here. How do I go about getting a couple of these valves to fully close? Did I mess anything up? My car has factory stock heads so no work have ever been done to them.
Turn the engine over quite a few times by hand via crank bolt. If it all looks ok there, take fuel pump relay out and crank it over with starter. That should get evrrything well seated and back to normal. Then check again. Highly unlikely youll even make an oil mess really.
That's what I would do.
12-03-2017, 02:42 PM
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Torque the pass side back down. do not install valve covers or cool packs or intake even for that matter.
Turn the engine over quite a few times by hand via crank bolt. If it all looks ok there, take fuel pump relay out and crank it over with starter. That should get evrrything well seated and back to normal. Then check again. Highly unlikely youll even make an oil mess really.
That's what I would do.
Turn the engine over quite a few times by hand via crank bolt. If it all looks ok there, take fuel pump relay out and crank it over with starter. That should get evrrything well seated and back to normal. Then check again. Highly unlikely youll even make an oil mess really.
That's what I would do.
12-03-2017, 03:25 PM
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Ok, so I installed the pushrods and rockers on the passenger side and torqued them to spec. I then pulled the fuel pump fuses and cranked the motor and everything sounded ok. I let the motor turn for several revolutions. Pulled the rockers off and two of the damn valve stems are still looking to be a touch low and it appears that there’s one that may be a touch high. I hooked up the air hose to one of the cylinders on the passenger side and still no pressure.
I was afraid of bent valves and this is what I’m thinking right now. I was hoping since I only spun the motor by hand before noticing my mistake that it wouldn’t be enough to bend them. If it is bent valves, the worst part is these are the discontinued factory LS6 valves since I have stock C5 Z06 heads that I put on the car. Not sure how I would find replacement valves.
I was afraid of bent valves and this is what I’m thinking right now. I was hoping since I only spun the motor by hand before noticing my mistake that it wouldn’t be enough to bend them. If it is bent valves, the worst part is these are the discontinued factory LS6 valves since I have stock C5 Z06 heads that I put on the car. Not sure how I would find replacement valves.
Last edited by IggyLS; 12-03-2017 at 03:40 PM.
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12-04-2017, 01:42 PM
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I pulled the passenger side head today and sure enough I've got bent valves. All 8 valves made contact with the pistons, some worse than others and all 8 are bent. The guides and seals look good so far. In addition, a few if not all of the pushrods are bent just a hair. Now the challenge is going to be finding genuine LS6 hollow/sodium filled valves. Anyone got any or know where I could find some?
Last edited by IggyLS; 12-04-2017 at 03:05 PM. Reason: more info
12-05-2017, 05:58 PM
#11
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