I made my own out of 5/16 steel rod. I get it started in the whole but it seems to get stuck. Also, I used a magnet to pull up the lifters one by one but still no luck. Does anyone have any suggestions on what so do? Thanks

 

You need to spin the motor over a few times with quick jerks (both directions) to get the lifters to pump up into the lifter trays. Then the steel rods should go right in with ease.

 

I tried that and the cam almost fell ou of the whole.

 

Have you tried sharpening the ends of the rod?

Maybe try taking the spark plugs out so the motor turns over faster. Are you sure you're putting the steel rods in the right hole?

 

On one of my rods I made....I did have to shave off a slight bit off the side...Both ends are Pointy and sharp though. The right side always slides right in no issues. The left side is the one I shaved an edge on...A very slight flat surface.

 

Do you need to take the spark plugs out to slide them in?

 

I don't think you NEED to. But I think I did anyway because I was changing plugs and wires on my cam swap.

 

By shaving a flat surface on the rods will that help get under the lifteras it slides in? Meaning that the rod will hit the lifter but due to the shaved edge it will sort of lift up on the lifter a well?

 

I found that to actually be unnecessary because when you spin the motor over, it pumps the lifters up enough that it's not really needed. If the lifters don't get pumped up, then I emagine it'd be crucial.

 

No but it makes it easier if you need to change springs to get TDC...

 

How do you spin the motor over to get the lifters up....?????????

I barely took off any material...Once i get it on the hole though i turn it to push the lifters up even that much more away from that flat surface I made.

 

I'll give it a try as soon as I get home today. Do I need to keep turning the cam over and over again as I push the rods through?

 

www.ls1howto.com

 

My bad...I meant to say cam, not motor. I spun the cam over to get the lifters to pump up.

 

They dont pump up though when you spin the cam...thats what Im trying to figure out. They push up into the lifter cups.

 

If you have not done it yet screw two of the water pump bolts into the cam and use this two spin the cam with ease . You do not have to remove the spark plugs for this and just spin the cam a few times any or both ways .
Also as others have said it may help to take a grinder and smooth down the ends of the dowel rods to help them go in easier .

 

And the surface tension of the oil on them holds them up there long enough for you to slide the rods in.

 

Yep...and dont bother pulling the cam out until the rods are all the way...But im hoping that was understood already.

 

We had the 5/16" rods also, used a magnet to pull them up and yanked the cam. Installed the new one, and pulled the rods.

 

Gave up on the metal rods. Went with the wooden dowels. Worked great. Went in with ease. Thanks for all the help.