I was wondering if it would be ok for me to leave the heads on my car when i do a cam swap. My car has 104,000 miles. I am alittle concerned with blowing a head gasket, but I dont want to pull them if its not necessary. Thanks.

 

There is no need to pull the heads, but the intake has to come off

 

What he said.

Why are you concerned with blowing a head gasket? Get new gaskets in their and some ARP's.

 

I was thinking if it would matter about the high milage of the car, with the head gaskets going out. I dont want to pull them unless there is a good chance of them blowing at 104,000 miles.

 

Head gaskets dont just go out, some thing has to make them go out. They dont wear from miles alone, there has to be a reason for why they go out. They go out due to over heating, cooling system neglect that causes constant over heating, detonation and then theres other reason like improper head machining, improper head bolt instalation and so fourth

 

Leave the heads alone. I have heard of people holding the lifters up with magnets to avoid pulling the intake. Don't know that I would try that.

 

yeah thats been tried with the ls1 folks after you pull the pushrods out. cam swap is cake...just take your time...label stuff and be careful not to rip the oil pan seal....lol

 

I performed this very operation on my LT1 and had no problems at all but be sure to get a good spring compressor.

I rotated the crank so that the piston was at top dead center for the cylinder I was working on, that way if the valve does fall it won't fall all the way into the cylinder.

I would replace the valve springs with new ones while you have it apart. The stock springs are weak and yours will be worn out so take the opportunity.

ZcarGuy

 

im not saying it can't be done....but really the intake is way too easy to take off
imho and a lot safer...

 

GMPP sells a SBC retainer kit for the lifters, costs like under 30$, problem is the intake has to come off any way to install the kit I would imagine. So unless you do cam swaps often, cant see the benefit.

 

There isn't enough stroke in a stock LT1 to drop a valve regardless of crank position

 

and if you do drop it in, get one of those telescopic magnets and fish it out of the cylinder

 

Does anyone have a list of the gaskets Ill need? I know I can buy the kit, But i think it will be cheaper to get the ones I really need. I will be running an electric water pump if that matters. Thanks

 

Felpro Intake gasket set + Felpro timing cover gasket set

The two of those will have every gasket you will need in them

 

It's physically impossible to drop.