I have the JPR lifter tool, and begin to pull my cam out, so i slide the left side on, goes right in after I spin the cam a few times. I go to do the right side, get it like...4 inches in, and it jams up, spin the cam alot and nothing! Now when I spin the cam I hear a like...grinding sound! Any idea what happened, and how to get this lifter tool in?

 

5/16" solid steel rod. $3.50 each at home depot. Forget the JPR tool.

 

Well, there's obviously a problem seeing as how the lifter is either not moving up in the lifter hold, or it's just falling down too quick.

 

If the cam is still in, remove the tools and take a pushrod and push the lifters down against the cam again. Spin it and use the 5/16" rods mentioned above. I had a problem last week where a couple of lifters weren't going up far enough. I had to spin and push down a few times to get them out of the way. Just make sure the rods are in prior to removing the cam. I also found later it was the front two lifters that were the problem so when I put in the new cam I used that last journal to push them up a tad and clear them out of the way as I put the cam in.

 

I just tried the thing with the pushrods, and it didn't work, but it seems like the some of the lifters are only moving up like a 1/4 inch.

 

The lifters don't have any choice in the matter. They have to move up as the lobe rotates. You can use your pushrods to isolate the offending lifters. Put the pushrods back in and watch as the cam is spun. It would be helpful to have somone spin the cam as you watch the pushrods. The pushrods that don't move have lifters that are staying up in the retainers. The pushrods that are moving are sliding back down as the cam lobe rotates onto its' back. These are the ones you need to pay particular attention to as you insert the rod. As the rod gets close the lifters that have the pushrods that are moving be SURE you are spinning the cam at this point and at the same time slowly inserting the rod. Don't rush it or try to force the rod home. If the lifter isn't up the rod won't go in. Use a squirt can and shoot some oil down into the lifter bores. I'd put some oil on the rod as well before you insert it. This takes some patience as does removing the cam from the block.

 

You staed that you started to pull the cam out.. Did you pull the cam out at all, just an 1/2" could mean that a lifter may be beside a cam lobe.

 

No, I didn't physically move the cam out, I was stating it as I am at that step in the cam install.

 

I just tried to pull the lifter up with a pen magnet a bit, and the pen magnet I just bought 2 minutes ago snapped off in my ******* motor. Wtf do I do now. This is seriously the cam install from ******* hell. The stall bolt stripped, still need to get that off. The pen magnet broke off. I can't get the oil pump pickup tube back in. I seriously am ******* fed up with this.

 

There was a thread about using the pen magnets a while back. Take off the heads and get the magnet off the lifter, drop the oil pan and rotate the pump as you put the tube back in, and take care of the bolt in the stall last. Good luck, and don't get discouraged as we've all been in a crappy bind at one point or another.

 

I know, but my parents are annoying and threatening to sell my car. I just need some time off from work and school.

 

So I guess only way is to pull the heads and ****....?

 

As far as I know. Good luck and sorry about the misfortunate events.

 

How did the magnet break off? Did it pull apart?

I would probably try to use another magnet to get it out.

Re'

 

Sounds like the same **** that happened to me. It was a gamble, and I didn't want to lose a lifter into the pan, since the two ways to get it out didn't sound good. Pull motor or K-member to remove pan. Decided to pull the heads, and while I was at it, may as well upgrade. Not in my plans to drop ~ $1700 on heads and bolts, but while you're in there, do it right.

 

No money for heads =\

 

Where did the piece break off, can a larger magnet get it out? McMaster-Carr has some rod magnets, they are in NJ so shipping should be quick. Don't get discouraged, step back and assess the problem and come up with a solution. Take it slow, you'll get there.

What is your current situation?

 

You need to do a search for this pen magnet problem. Someone recently posted about having the same problem and they managed to get the magnet out without removing the heads. 5/16" steel rods at Home Depot are $3.50 each. Magnets are only $2 each, but you need 16 of them. When one breaks the steel rods start to look real cheap. Heah, you live and learn.

 

I have a lifter tool! But the lifter was stopping it from going in. So I used a magnet to pull the lifter up to slide it in.

 

One last thing to try before pulling the heads. They sell telescoping magnets. Not some cheap as pen magnet. Get one and trying fishing out the other magnet. Then you can try to pull the lifter up with it.
I have a real telescoping magnet and it works great. Looks like a car antenna. Some time the JPR rods dont go in as there is casting slag in the way. It usually happens more on the 01 and 02 I think but it certainly isnt all the time.

You should have pulled the pushrods out and then spoun the cam by hand with a quick snap of the wrist. This throws the lifters up into their cups and then you insert the rods to keep them there. I dont know how many people put the rods in get a little way by luck and then decide to spin the cam with the rods already in place. It dont work that way.

Your only options now are as I stated above. Get a good quality telescoping magnet that wont fall apart and try fishing it out.

If that doesnt work you need to pull the head. Which isnt that difficult just tedious to clean up thats all.

If you have other issues lets hear them and we'll do our best to help. You need to get my tools back.

Sometimes things dont go as planned, it happens, no big deal, jus deal with it as it comes. Tell your parents to get off your back it isnt helping matters. Tell them in a nice way.

They have easy outs for striped bolts and such, get the right tool for the job and it makes it easier.

I wish I had a dollar for each time a cheap *** pen magnet broke for someone. What the hell do you expect when you pay a few cents for a tool to do an important job.

Some things you cant skimp on. A tool thats going to be fishing around the engine where stuff can get lost or lodged shouldn't be had for 99 cents.

Go to Napa and ask for a real one and not some at the counter bargain. Snap-on sells them as well. If its a serious tool, its going to cost more than a few cents.