pen magnets
They look like pens with pocket clips,lol, except theres a magnet that pulls out at the end. you can buy them at an autoparts store like autozone or advance, you can ask for them our theyre usually on the counters.
i recently just did my cam swap if you have a high milage motor maybe the pen magnets are a good idea but if you just put the big timing gear on the cam and hold it in by 1 bolt just spin the cam over really fast by hand until it spins freely then immediatly pull the old cam out and use water pump bolts on the new cam and slide it in then after use a pushrod to push the lifters back down its risky but it worked for me and all my friends
the best way is go to thunderracing.com and buy thier cam installation tool to hold the lifters up but it is 100$
the best way is go to thunderracing.com and buy thier cam installation tool to hold the lifters up but it is 100$
TECH Addict
Joined: Jun 2002
Posts: 2,428
Likes: 0
From: Las Vegas, NV
i recently just did my cam swap if you have a high milage motor maybe the pen magnets are a good idea but if you just put the big timing gear on the cam and hold it in by 1 bolt just spin the cam over really fast by hand until it spins freely then immediatly pull the old cam out and use water pump bolts on the new cam and slide it in then after use a pushrod to push the lifters back down its risky but it worked for me and all my friends
the best way is go to thunderracing.com and buy thier cam installation tool to hold the lifters up but it is 100$
the best way is go to thunderracing.com and buy thier cam installation tool to hold the lifters up but it is 100$
At the auto store I went (Auto Zone) they had at the checkout register plastic containers stuffed with pen magnets. I picked out the best 16 I could find. If you buy quality pen magnets, like in that link, you'll go broke but probably wouldn't have to worry about a magnet falling off. Choose your poison.
I dont see why any one would spend 30 dollars on magnets or buy a special tool
Home depot sells round bar pick up (2) 5/16 round bars they are 3bucks a piece. Slide em in. and be done
Home depot sells round bar pick up (2) 5/16 round bars they are 3bucks a piece. Slide em in. and be done
TECH Addict
Joined: Jun 2002
Posts: 2,428
Likes: 0
From: Las Vegas, NV
None of these techniques work right 100% of the time, JPR tool, wooden rods, or the LS1 Roulette Method.
Trending Topics
Use 5/16 brake line, its eaiser and cheaper than pen magnets. Measure them with the new cam and mark them so you know when there in all the way. It also helps to bend them into an L shape. Dont forget to oil them alittle before you put them in.
LS1 Tech Stories
The Best V8 Stories One Small Block at Time
Top 10 Greatest Cadillac V Series Performance Models Ever, Ranked
Pouria Savadkouei
Top 10 Most Powerful Chevy Trucks Ever Made!
Hennessey's New Supercharged Silverado ZR2 Has 700 HP
Verdad Gallardo
Coachbuilt N2A Anteros Is an LS2-Powered C6 Corvette In Italian Clothes
Verdad Gallardo
Awesome K5 Blazer Restomod Comes With C7 Corvette Power
Verdad Gallardo
10 Camaros You Should Never Buy
10 LS Engine Myths That Refuse to Die
Verdad Gallardo
Five Reasons the Camaro Was the Most Pivotal Player in the Pony Car Wars 2.0
Brett Foote
10 Reasons the LS7 Is GM's Most Extreme Naturally Aspirated V8 Engine Ever
Verdad Gallardo
Thread Starter
Joined: Sep 2006
Posts: 1,051
Likes: 3
From: Bloomington, illinois
thanks guys for all the great help! I think i am going to try the pen magnets and might just grab some (2) 5/16 round bars from home depot! Tomorrow is the big day, cam is going in!! i will let you know how it goes!
Yep
1. 1x 48" Steel Dowel rod 5/16"
2. Cut in half.
3. I rounded off the ends with a dremel to make two semi-spear looking tips.
4. Push dowel rods front of block slowly. You may have to wiggle and give them a couple good spins before they will go all the way in.
1. 1x 48" Steel Dowel rod 5/16"
2. Cut in half.
3. I rounded off the ends with a dremel to make two semi-spear looking tips.
4. Push dowel rods front of block slowly. You may have to wiggle and give them a couple good spins before they will go all the way in.
THIS HAS BEEN POSTED 100 TIMES. YET SOME DUDE ALWAYS SPENDS A C-NOTE ON THE TR BARS OR USES WOOD. 
Please do some research and see all the pen magnet disaster. This is the worst way to do it. Buy some rods, wooden or brake lines.. something better than dropping a magnet and lifter together
TECH Addict
Joined: Jun 2002
Posts: 2,428
Likes: 0
From: Las Vegas, NV
In my case it was a backup plan that saved my cam install. If I didn't use pen magnets I would have had to pull the heads. If you can't install the cam using the various rod methods, you'll have to pull the heads anyway, so the magnets are worth a shot when all else fails. There's nothing to lose.
Magnet trick FTL.... I did it and the damn magnet came off and stuck to the lifter...So 4 hours later i had the head back on and to where i started.....PITA brake line is teh way to go
Thread Starter
Joined: Sep 2006
Posts: 1,051
Likes: 3
From: Bloomington, illinois
Well went out and got 2 seel dowels rounded the tips with a grinder, worked AWESOME!! Dont know how they can get away with selling these things for $100. But thanks for the idea!
Just did my cam swap 2 days ago. 16 pen magnets from Harbor Freight Tools, $1.95 each. Swap went flawlessly. I bent the clips on the magnets and they fit right over the edge of the head. I use Hyper Lube for assembly lube and the cam practically slides in on its own.
Oh one more expense I forgot was the 6-pack of Corona. Provided the extra lubrication needed.
Oh one more expense I forgot was the 6-pack of Corona. Provided the extra lubrication needed.
