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Lifter tool for cam swap

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Old Jan 24, 2006 | 09:40 PM
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Default Lifter tool for cam swap

The holes in the LS1 block that are used to insert the 5/16 inch rod in, to hold the lifters from droppin during a cam swap, measure 1/2 inch dia. Can a larger 3/8 dia. rod be used with no problem.
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Old Jan 24, 2006 | 10:24 PM
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anyone??
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Old Jan 24, 2006 | 10:31 PM
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i think 5/16 is an exact fit....when i did mine i saw the 1/2 hole but the clearence inside is just enough for a 5/16...i wouldnt go any bigger or smaller
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Old Jan 25, 2006 | 05:12 PM
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Thanks for the info
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Old Jan 25, 2006 | 05:15 PM
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use a 5/16 wooden dowel from hope depot
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Old Jan 25, 2006 | 06:05 PM
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Originally Posted by 00BlackSS
use a 5/16 wooden dowel from hope depot
ditto, just did a cam swap and use them!!!
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Old Jan 25, 2006 | 06:22 PM
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Originally Posted by CHIWS6
ditto, just did a cam swap and use them!!!
I would never have though of something simple like that. That's some good info.
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Old Jan 25, 2006 | 08:24 PM
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Just make sure they are EXTREMELY straight. I work at a Home Depot, and I get new dowels every now and then for swaps, and I always go through each one in the racking and whatever we have in the overstock.

5/16" is the right size for it. Some people sand it down on one side, but I feel they are too loose when sanded down. All I do is run a fine sandpaper on the dowels to get rid of any loose shavings, then put some oil on them, and slide it in as I spin the cam. Works like a charm
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Old Jan 25, 2006 | 10:51 PM
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I'll 2nd,3rd, and 4th that!Cheap and work great!
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Old Jan 27, 2006 | 01:29 PM
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I tried 5/16 aluminum rods when I did my cam and couldn't get them in so I used 1/4 aluminum oiled up nicely.
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Old Jan 27, 2006 | 02:56 PM
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Here is a 5th!
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Old Jan 27, 2006 | 11:37 PM
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im going to do a cam swap myself and im going to pay someone else do the springs. so was i wondering in order to change just the cam do i have to loosen rockers to allow lifters to raise up to slide the 5/16 rod in? or can i turn cam and push up lifters and slide rod in w/o taking valve covers off.
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Old Jan 28, 2006 | 06:32 AM
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The rockers need to come off completely. Also, I don't know how you plan to do it, but I hop you're not going to drive the car with the new cam in it on stock springs. Why not do the springs yourself too? They're pretty easy...
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Old Jan 28, 2006 | 07:27 AM
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i used an alum rod when i done my cam swap. ground down a flat lip on it and they worked fine. not sure on the size but they are right here beside me
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Old Jan 28, 2006 | 09:09 AM
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well i would im just dont know how to determine if car is top dead center and also i dont know how much to turn it to do the other springs, i dont want to drop a valve. does anyone know the easist way to check on top dead center
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Old Jan 28, 2006 | 09:50 AM
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read the write up on ls1 how to.. the instuctions for TDC is a little more than half way down the page

http://ls1howto.com/index.php?article=23
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Old Jan 28, 2006 | 11:23 AM
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Yup, Part 3, Option 2. It's how I always do it.
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Old Jan 28, 2006 | 01:49 PM
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great how to!!
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Old Jan 30, 2006 | 08:27 AM
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as long as you check for coil bind and DO NOT spin the motor up AT ALL I don't see why you couldn't drive it with stock springs to the shop to get them replaced. If you spin it though your going to float the valves and destroy your motor, and with these weak springs too much might be 3000RPM!

you're still better off learning to do it yourself, its not tough just takes some time.
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Old Jan 30, 2006 | 09:06 AM
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As soon as you crank the car with stock springs and a decent cam (anything over like .550) they will snap or your rockers will break. There is a thing called coil bind. When that happens you are screwed, it doesn't matter, how high you rev the engine.

I used 5/16" wooden dowels that I stuck one end in a pencil sharpener to get to a point. Spun the cam fast a few time and then stuck the rods through the holes.
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