cam swap--what all is involoved?

[Got Boost?]

so, what all is involved in a cam swap? i feel comfortable around every aspect of the engine except the valvetrain, when i start having to work in that area i get nervous. so whats involved in the cam swap. in short, its essentially putting some lubricant on the new cam carefully putting in it and then making sure everything is lined up and degreeing it correct? of course it is more in depth than that but summed up in short thats what is done right?

just for referance i will have the heads and intake already removed, and plan on putting new lifters in aswell.

[QWKSNKE]

you don't have to remove heads. Just the intake, lifters, rocker arms, and front of the motor.

[Got Boost?]

now after I degree the cam I will need to adjust lifter preload and rocker arm geometry right? or is that only sometimes needed?

[coupe]

Where you at...one of us can come show you. It's best left to someone who's done it.

[Got Boost?]

the swap is down the road a lil ways, im just trying to make sure i got it figured out long before i attempt it. i've been reading alot about valvetrain installation and what not preparing myself for when i do it.

though when im ready ill porlly get someone thats has done it before to help, just to be on the safe side, good idea

[uvbnhad]

This is on a 5.0L right? The way I always did it was to remove all said parts, put #1 cyl at TDC, inserted cam, lined up keyway on crank and cam, put on chain, rotate the valve train til each cyl was at TDC, torque down rockers, and then reassemble the engine.

[QWKSNKE]

now after I degree the cam I will need to adjust lifter preload and rocker arm geometry right? or is that only sometimes needed?


I don't degree cams. I have never put a stout enough combination together to warrant doing it. I have always just installed "dot to dot"

As far as rocker arm adjustment, what type of setup do you have? Aftermarket heads with stud mount rockers or stock heads with pedestal mount rockers?

[Got Boost?]

I don't degree cams. I have never put a stout enough combination together to warrant doing it. I have always just installed "dot to dot"

As far as rocker arm adjustment, what type of setup do you have? Aftermarket heads with stud mount rockers or stock heads with pedestal mount rockers?

stud mount roller rockers on twisted wedge heads, also will i gain any worth while hp degreeing the cam?

[99LS1]

Where you at...one of us can come show you. It's best left to someone who's done it.

It's not that complicated. Just being careful and reading the manual will get the majority of the job done.