I have been reading everything I can find regarding cam installations and thought I was fully prepared. I couldn't have been more delusional. I have been to the auto parts store and hardware store at least a dozen times since I started the install on Friday. I spent 4 hours today looking for a piece of 7/16-20 all thread so I could install my crank hub. This leads to my first question. I was impatient and did not want to wait 2 days for a piece of hardened all thread to arrive at my front door so I placed a large socket inside of the hub and drove it on. Is their any harm to installing it this way? Has anyone else done this with no problems? The single most aggrivating part of the install would have to be all of the extra work to run a double roller. I now wish I would have just kept the overpriced extreme duty chain I purchased from the dealership but I returned it and purchased a double roller from CMS to save money. To me it would have been worth keeping the extreme duty. I had the cover off and on the engine four times to ensure I had the right amount of clearance and screwing around with the oil pan gasket everytime is a real PITA. The water pump is on now I'm ready to take on the valve train but I just found out I have a POS spring removal tool that will not fit my springs. Now I'll be searching for a spring removal tool tomorrow. I have comp 918 springs and I have a dumb question: Does the larger diameter end sit on the heads and the smaller end support the rocker arm? The only thing that keeps me going is the thought of firing it up and listening to the sweet sound it makes. I just hope I don't have any leaks.

 

Yes i have pushed a crank hub on with a socket...no harm in that.

The small end of the valve spring goes up.

Try Napa...its were i got my spring compressor for 32 bucks and it works great.

Good Luck!!!
james

 

Beehives.... Small End up!

I just made my crank sproket tool and the threaded rod way is a great way to do it, in fact the only good way to do it.

Bret

 

You should go check out KSFBA.org and ask if anybody is willing to help you out with the install. Id do it if I wasnt 2 hrs away but I know there are a few Fbody guys up in your area that would probably lend a hand.

 

question on something here:

I have isky double coil valve springs, and it didnt look like there was a larger diameter side to a smaller one, lets say there was, what kinda damage will it do?

 

If they are not beehives (comp springs), then they are prolly symetrical springs and can go either way up. Beehives wont fit the other way due to smaller retainers.

 

ohh PHEW ok good, thanks