Fastest wrenches, check in...
Using the Larrys spring tool, and the only air holding the valves up, I can do springs in about 80min's.
I am going to practice more on the TH350 Removal and replace this w/e, as well as the exhaust once I get the Kooks back.
hell i was happy when i tore my motor down for the first time and got the cam back in. took me about 4 hours but i had the rest of the motor to put back together lol Using the Larrys spring tool, and the only air holding the valves up, I can do springs in about 80min's.
I am going to practice more on the TH350 Removal and replace this w/e, as well as the exhaust once I get the Kooks back.
the larry tool. I cant believe people actualy pay for that. 15 mins per side with the crane dual spring tool. Yes its more expensive but at least its a real tool. Anyone with a drill and a file can make the larry tool. It kills me that he sells so many at the price he gets for them. Good for him I guess. Using the Larrys spring tool, and the only air holding the valves up, I can do springs in about 80min's.
I am going to practice more on the TH350 Removal and replace this w/e, as well as the exhaust once I get the Kooks back.
I'm betting with all the tools laid out before hand, I could do the cam swap in just over an hour. With a lift, I could do many things a LOT faster, you spend at least 5-10 minutes putting the car in the air, getting it on jack stands, and making sure its safe to be underneath.Valve springs are easy, I don't use air to hold up the valves, I just let 'em "stick" in the valve seals. I rotate the motor around so the valve will drop on the piston instead of falling into the cylinder though. They won't fall into a 3.898" bore, but I made that mistake once on a 4.030" bore motor
The Best V8 Stories One Small Block at Time
3rd Gen T-5 out, rebuilt (blockers), back in, on my back with jackstands < 4 hrs. (I don't know if that is quick or not, but it was quick for me)
4 cyl Cavalier head gasket < 1 hour start to finish. (And it didn't come back
)BMW E36 alignment 25 minutes. (paid 1.5... gravy)
Diagnosed and repaired a shorted electrical system in a diesel chevy between the hazards circuit and the injection pump circuit. The hazards would keep the truck running even if you pulled the key out. ~1.5-2 hours. (paid 7
) What are you favorite tools for the job, any secret ones on that?
I'm a ratchet and gear wrench guy... no air for me

In the Trans Am tube chassis cars, we can have an engine running, swap, to running again in a little under 30 minutes.
We do cam and springs in about 2.5 hours in vettes with 3 guys working on them, especially before lunch!

I can have a head off a vette in about 14 minutes

And I wish I was as fast as all of you. When I swapped the cam on my car (first other install other than headers) it took me about 15 hours total working time. I couldn't imagine getting it done in 1 hour. I guess it just takes knowledge and practice.
From the straight 6 flathead coming out, to driving the desoto powered version.
beat that.
Last edited by Fandango; Nov 30, 2005 at 11:52 PM.





