will one of you pro's please write one so us newbs have an idiots guide to cam install's... pretty please?

 

Get a helm's manual. Even if it's your first try, it's really easy. The only thing to watch out for is not messing up the bearings.

 

LOTS or info on the WWW about swapping cams in a SBC.

 

I wanted to install a new cam too, but what about all the timing crap? Dont you have to turn it by hand and set each valve or something?

 

nope, all you do is line the 2 dots up and then make sure the rockers are on right and then you just time it with the dizzy.

 

get a haynes manual, everything you will need to know is in there. Also check this out

https://www.thirdgen.org/techbb2/sea...der=descending

 

Well, I always heard about "degreeing" the cam, and I thought you had to turn it and stuff. I think this would probably not be something I would do without help from someone who has done it before.

 

I never degreed mine.

 

you should just need to install the cam straight up (no degreeing) most performance cams have 4* or 6* of cam advance already there (they grind say a 112 LSA cam on a 108 centerline) they do this so you dont' have to degree it.

as for setting each valve, you don't set timing by each valve (that is what the cam is for), but you do need to set the valve lash.

 

Setting the valve lash must be what I am thinking of, I have no idea how to do that. Plus, I dont have a cherry picker anyways I imagine it would be very difficult to change a cam without that.

 

dont need to pull the motor, nor lift it, nor pull the accessory brackets off the front. Just the waterpump had to come off.....

 

That's why you need to get a helm's manual. It will tell you everything you ever wanted or need to know about your car and more. It was the best money I have ever spent on my car. You can be an idiot and not know a cam from your *** and still do the swap with this book. Seriously man, if you could type something in this thread, you can do it. It may seem hard at first, but it is honestly nothing.

 

yeah it isn't bad to do a cam swap, setting lash is pretty easy. for most it is probably easier to do with the engine running, as it takes a certain special feel to find zero lash by feeling the pushrod (that sounded dirty )

 

are you talking about the helms service manual thats like 20 bucks, or the helms manual thats like 189 bucks

 

It costs $90 exactly from helminc.com

 

You can get the cam in there with the engine in? I figured the radiator would be in the way.

 

all you do is take the radiator out. Simple.

 

I just did mine a few weeks ago.I pulled the waterpump,radiator,front AC(in front of the radiator) AND took off part of the air dam.Those crossing bars in the nose were in the way too.
It was my first time doing it.I actually had to change the timing chain so I got rid of the peanut while I was there.I changed the timing chain,cam,intake manifold and lifters.I worked on it 6 hrs one day and 7 hrs each two other days.Like I said,it was my first time so I was slow and careful.
It was a learning experiance and hellalotta fun!