Generation III Internal Engine 1997-2006 LS1 | LS6
Sponsored by:
Sponsored by:

Help Please Cam Swap In Progress

Old Apr 16, 2006 | 03:41 PM
  #21  
orangeapeel's Avatar
ЯєŧąяĐ Єl¡m¡иąŧøя ™
iTrader: (18)
 
Joined: Nov 2004
Posts: 16,083
Likes: 4
From: Justin, TX
Default

Yeah, use the dowels...magnets are scary!
Reply
Old Apr 16, 2006 | 07:14 PM
  #22  
Xtnct00WS6's Avatar
TECH Fanatic
iTrader: (8)
 
Joined: Jan 2005
Posts: 1,429
Likes: 2
From: Sterling VA
Default

Originally Posted by NassyVette
Spin the cam CW and CCW sveral times then slide the dowels in without shaving them. If they get hung up wiggle them a little and keep going. They should press in snug....
Isn't the dexcool antifreeze supposed to be orangeish in color? It's green in that pic.
Reply
Old Apr 16, 2006 | 07:17 PM
  #23  
orangeapeel's Avatar
ЯєŧąяĐ Єl¡m¡иąŧøя ™
iTrader: (18)
 
Joined: Nov 2004
Posts: 16,083
Likes: 4
From: Justin, TX
Default

That isnt Dex.
Reply
Old Apr 16, 2006 | 09:42 PM
  #24  
Mark99Hawk's Avatar
Staging Lane
iTrader: (4)
 
Joined: Aug 2004
Posts: 59
Likes: 0
From: Kitchener, Ontario
Default

Here is what I found:
https://ls1tech.com/forums/generation-iii-internal-engine/487547-warning-about-wooden-dowel-lifter-tool.html

I'd use the pen magnets (or both as I did)...if a lifter falls enough you aren't going to get the new cam by it...

Mark
Reply
Old Apr 16, 2006 | 11:29 PM
  #25  
NassyVette's Avatar
TECH Enthusiast
iTrader: (22)
 
Joined: Apr 2002
Posts: 662
Likes: 1
From: Chicago
Default

Originally Posted by Xtnct00WS6
Isn't the dexcool antifreeze supposed to be orangeish in color? It's green in that pic.
Previous owner put it in...its running dexcool now.
Reply
Old Apr 17, 2006 | 12:19 AM
  #26  
SSmoked1's Avatar
Launching!
iTrader: (21)
 
Joined: Apr 2006
Posts: 242
Likes: 0
From: Parma, Oh
Default

I dont understand. Why not just pull the intake manifold? I have never worked on a LSX but ive done alot to my LT1. Im wanting to buy a LS1 but from what ive read in this thread it is scareing me.
Reply
Old Apr 17, 2006 | 01:39 AM
  #27  
orangeapeel's Avatar
ЯєŧąяĐ Єl¡m¡иąŧøя ™
iTrader: (18)
 
Joined: Nov 2004
Posts: 16,083
Likes: 4
From: Justin, TX
Default

Don't be scared to do it. If you get the dowels all the way in...the lifter wont fall.
Reply
Old Apr 17, 2006 | 09:53 AM
  #28  
Mark99Hawk's Avatar
Staging Lane
iTrader: (4)
 
Joined: Aug 2004
Posts: 59
Likes: 0
From: Kitchener, Ontario
Default

Originally Posted by SSmoked1
I dont understand. Why not just pull the intake manifold? I have never worked on a LSX but ive done alot to my LT1. Im wanting to buy a LS1 but from what ive read in this thread it is scareing me.
You can't get at the lifters by pulling the intake, it is not like a SBC. The only way to get at the lifters is by pulling the heads.

Mark
Reply
LS1 Tech Stories

The Best V8 Stories One Small Block at Time

story-0

Retro Modern Bandit Pontiac Trans AM Comes With Burt Reynolds' Autograph

 Verdad Gallardo
story-1

Top 10 Greatest Cadillac V Series Performance Models Ever, Ranked

 Pouria Savadkouei
story-2

Top 10 Most Powerful Chevy Trucks Ever Made!

 
story-3

Hennessey's New Supercharged Silverado ZR2 Has 700 HP

 Verdad Gallardo
story-4

Coachbuilt N2A Anteros Is an LS2-Powered C6 Corvette In Italian Clothes

 Verdad Gallardo
story-5

Awesome K5 Blazer Restomod Comes With C7 Corvette Power

 Verdad Gallardo
story-6

10 Camaros You Should Never Buy

 
story-7

10 LS Engine Myths That Refuse to Die

 Verdad Gallardo
story-8

Five Reasons the Camaro Was the Most Pivotal Player in the Pony Car Wars 2.0

 Brett Foote
story-9

10 Reasons the LS7 Is GM's Most Extreme Naturally Aspirated V8 Engine Ever

 Verdad Gallardo
Old Apr 17, 2006 | 12:36 PM
  #29  
eallanboggs's Avatar
TECH Addict
iTrader: (1)
 
Joined: Mar 2002
Posts: 2,080
Likes: 1
From: New Orleans
Default

Put the binders on Mark99Hawk! What do you mean it's not "like" a SBC? It's not just like one it IS one. It damn sure isn't a big block. It's not like the SBC that has roots in the early 60s and ranges in size from 265 cu. in to over 400 cu.in., but it is in fact a SBC as is the LT1.
Reply
Old Apr 17, 2006 | 12:39 PM
  #30  
FstBlkz28's Avatar
TECH Fanatic
iTrader: (13)
 
Joined: Aug 2002
Posts: 1,222
Likes: 0
From: DFW, TX
Default

I'd never use magnets again. I had a nightmare of an install using them. I used the dowels to install a cam on my buddy's z28 and they worked like a dream.

Cut them down so that they'll fit all the way into the block with a few inches sticking out.
Sharpen (bluntly) one end to a round point.
Spin cam gear quickly in both directions to get the lifters up, then slide the dowels in.
Once they're all the way in ... pull the cam out and you'll be set.
Reply
Old Apr 17, 2006 | 12:43 PM
  #31  
shouldaboughttheZ's Avatar
TECH Addict
iTrader: (8)
 
Joined: Nov 2004
Posts: 2,036
Likes: 0
From: H-Town
Default

I fabed up my own rods.

When I slide them in, it felt like they were not holding anything up. Had my friend hold the rods in while I removed the cam.
Reply
Old Apr 17, 2006 | 12:48 PM
  #32  
SUX2BU's Avatar
11 Second Club
iTrader: (14)
 
Joined: Apr 2002
Posts: 3,267
Likes: 1
From: DFW, TX
Default

I don't use anything on the lifters when i pull cams out. I've done maybe 100 cams. every once in a blue moon i get a lifter or two that won't stay up. i use pen magnets ONLY on the ones that won't stay up. you put the pen magnt in and pull it up as far as you can (fully extending the pen) and then zip tie it to something so it WON'T fall.
Reply
Old Apr 17, 2006 | 05:49 PM
  #33  
2001bluerata's Avatar
Thread Starter
TECH Apprentice
iTrader: (2)
 
Joined: Jan 2006
Posts: 304
Likes: 0
From: St. Louis, MO
Default

Ok just tried the dowels. I can only pull the cam out about a 1/2' then it hits something like it's stuck. kind a spin a little bit and nothing. did a lifter fall? I can still push the cam back in that 1/2". I just won't pull out, I'm I suppose to yank on the darn thing ti get it going?
Reply
Old Apr 17, 2006 | 06:30 PM
  #34  
2001bluerata's Avatar
Thread Starter
TECH Apprentice
iTrader: (2)
 
Joined: Jan 2006
Posts: 304
Likes: 0
From: St. Louis, MO
Default

t t t
Reply
Old Apr 17, 2006 | 07:31 PM
  #35  
2001bluerata's Avatar
Thread Starter
TECH Apprentice
iTrader: (2)
 
Joined: Jan 2006
Posts: 304
Likes: 0
From: St. Louis, MO
Default

Why is this so hard, people do it all the time. I can only get it a 1/2-3/4' out and then it hits something, what's the deal. I turn, turn, turn and pull and nothing.

Is a lifter sliding down or what, these dowels aren't holding them.

Is buying the JRP tool gonna make it any easier?

Should I pull the intake or possibly the heads?

Please some help
Reply
Old Apr 17, 2006 | 07:34 PM
  #36  
dregnier0's Avatar
On The Tree
 
Joined: Feb 2006
Posts: 101
Likes: 0
Default

Did mine this weekend with the pen magnet method. I put a small bead of crazy glue on the outside edge of the magnet so the magnet will not come off the base of the pen. Worked fine for me. The only problem I had was pulling them out from the pushrod hole when finished. Returned all 16 magnets at lowes because it cost me about 90 bucks. Just wiped them down with alcohol and wala.

Does your cam go all the way back in or not? To get mine out I had to turn the cam in both directions and keep it centered i.e. up and down.

IMO Pen magnet all the way
http://www.ls1howto.com/index.php?article=23
Reply
Old Apr 17, 2006 | 07:41 PM
  #37  
1LoudTA's Avatar
12 Second Club
iTrader: (11)
 
Joined: Aug 2005
Posts: 307
Likes: 0
From: Islip Terrace, NY
Default

a lifter sliding down won't keep the cam stuck, you do have all the rockers out of the car i hope right?...thread the waterpump bolts into the cam and hold it by the end, even though its better to help with installing it it gives you good control of pulling it out, mine came out like butter man, so if the rockers are off, pushrods are pulled, dowels are in, sprocket is pulled, along with the retainer underneath the sproket, it should be free.
Reply
Old Apr 17, 2006 | 07:47 PM
  #38  
2001bluerata's Avatar
Thread Starter
TECH Apprentice
iTrader: (2)
 
Joined: Jan 2006
Posts: 304
Likes: 0
From: St. Louis, MO
Default

Yeah I've got everything off the heads, I think a lifter keeps falling, these dowels are worthless. When I attach the magnets and pull up, I can still feel the cam lobe hitting it when I turn, the lobe must still be grazing the lifter even when I pull up on the oen and turn the cam I can feel it. What gives?
Reply
Old Apr 17, 2006 | 07:50 PM
  #39  
2001bluerata's Avatar
Thread Starter
TECH Apprentice
iTrader: (2)
 
Joined: Jan 2006
Posts: 304
Likes: 0
From: St. Louis, MO
Default

I hate to do it but maybe I'll invest in the JPR tool, but if it's fool proof maybe that's what i need, it's either that or pull the heads.
Reply
Old Apr 17, 2006 | 08:12 PM
  #40  
dregnier0's Avatar
On The Tree
 
Joined: Feb 2006
Posts: 101
Likes: 0
Default

If only a couple of lifters are not staying up then use the clip off the magnet and tie it up to something. There should be no problem pulling the cam out. Once all magnets are in you should be able to spin the cam and not see any of the magnets move up/dwn. If they do then there not locked up. To check this gently push down on one of the magnets and you can feel the lifter ride up and down with the cam.
Reply

Thread Tools
Search this Thread

All times are GMT -5. The time now is 12:07 PM.

story-0
Retro Modern Bandit Pontiac Trans AM Comes With Burt Reynolds' Autograph

Slideshow: A modern Camaro transformed into a retro icon, this limited-run "Bandit" build blends nostalgia with brute force in a way few revivals manage.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-04-21 13:57:02


VIEW MORE
story-1
Top 10 Greatest Cadillac V Series Performance Models Ever, Ranked

Slideshow: Cadillac didn't just crash the high-performance luxury vehicle party, it showed up loud, supercharged, and occasionally a little unhinged...

By Pouria Savadkouei | 2026-04-16 10:05:15


VIEW MORE
story-2
Top 10 Most Powerful Chevy Trucks Ever Made!

Slideshow: Top ten most powerful Chevy trucks ever made

By | 2026-03-25 09:22:26


VIEW MORE
story-3
Hennessey's New Supercharged Silverado ZR2 Has 700 HP

Slideshow: Hennessey has turned the Silverado ZR2 into a 700-hp off-road monster with supercharged V8 power and a limited production run.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-03-24 18:57:52


VIEW MORE
story-4
Coachbuilt N2A Anteros Is an LS2-Powered C6 Corvette In Italian Clothes

Slideshow: A one-off sports car that looks like a vintage Italian exotic-but hides a C6 Corvette underneath-just sold for the price of a new mid-engine Corvette.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-03-23 18:53:41


VIEW MORE
story-5
Awesome K5 Blazer Restomod Comes With C7 Corvette Power

Slideshow: A heavily reworked 1972 K5 Blazer swaps its off-road roots for a low-slung street-focused build with modern V8 power.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-03-09 18:08:45


VIEW MORE
story-6
10 Camaros You Should Never Buy

Slideshow: There are thousands of used Camaros on the market but we think you should avoid these 10

By | 2026-02-17 17:09:30


VIEW MORE
story-7
10 LS Engine Myths That Refuse to Die

Slideshows: Which one of these myths do you believe?

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-01-28 18:10:11


VIEW MORE
story-8
Five Reasons the Camaro Was the Most Pivotal Player in the Pony Car Wars 2.0

The world was a better place when it was still around.

By Brett Foote | 2026-01-23 09:20:37


VIEW MORE
story-9
10 Reasons the LS7 Is GM's Most Extreme Naturally Aspirated V8 Engine Ever

Slideshow: The 7.0-liter LS7 was designed for absolute cutting-edge performance.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-01-07 18:36:00


VIEW MORE