Im pretty sure I have a blown headgasket, im just waiting for my buddy to give me his stuff to check it. How much more work is involved swapping out the cam? I was planning on having the heads checked for warpage and having new lt4 valve springs and 1.6 rr's installed. In doing a cam swap, is the hardest part removing the intake? This is what I was thinking if I did a head gasket fix and cam swap:

LT4 Hotcam Kit
New Stock Timing Chain
Impala SS Head gaskets
ARP Head Bolts
New Lifters

What else do I need besides a tune?

Im thinking all I have to pull is the waterpump, opti, and radiator to do the cam swap?

Rob

 

You'll have to pull the crank hub/balancer, waterpump, opti, drop the front of the oil pan/pull timing cover, and radiator. Despite having more going on, I think it's easier than pulling the heads off with the motor in the car.

If you do not drop the front of the oil pan down, the timing cover will not come straight off, and will either mess up the front part of the oil pan gasket, or rip the oil seals on the timing cover when re-installing. Trust me.

I would just go with the standard ARP head bolts, or even some new GM ones, whichever you can get a better deal on. Those will be more than enough for you. I also don't think you'll need new lifters. If you have the extra money laying around it couldn't hurt but it's not necesary. I put a HOTcam kit in my car and re-used the 125k mile stock lifters and they did fine. It's not an overly aggressive cam that's going to smash up your valvetrain.

 

Not sure if you realize that you'll be removing the intake (and exhaust manifolds) to take your heads off.

 

I figured with almost 100k on the original lifters, I thought I would replace them. As far as i know, I will have to pull my headers off and the intake for pulling off the heads. Plus other little odds and ends. I was going to put new motor mounts on while the headers are out because they are worn out and my drivers side header hits the sub frame a bit. What a winter project..

Rob

 

From personal experience I would suggest DEFINATELY changing the valve springs. I trusted someone and bought the LT4 cam and what I THOUGHT was LT4 springs along with the rollers and lo and behold they were standard LT1 springs and I literally obliterated 2 of them they came off in several pieces. With that many miles at least change the springs the lifters should be fine as long as they look good. Doing the intake is cake...just keep track of what you pull off take pictures if you can for reference. It should pull off in 1 peice. Just take your time and you'll have a blast doing it.

 

I was going to either get LT4 springs with crane 1.6 rr's. I would have a shop put that stuff on, along with valve seals and making sure my heads were ok to use. If i did a cam, I would get the LT4 hotcam kit, which has the springs and rr's. I think im going to skip on the cam for now and just get new valve springs, new valve seals, crane 1.6 rr's, and impala ss head gaskets. Still debating on the lifters...


Rob

 

When mine blew a head gasket I had like 80,000 miles on it and I reused the stock lifters with no problems. If you can get a good deal on lifters go for it. What's you budget like? What plans do you have for it in the future? If you plan on guttin the block and building it up in a little while just use the stock lifters till then.

 

Im kinda on a tight budget right now. Im in college right now and dont make enough money to make a "monster" out of this motor..... yet....
Down the road I plan on making a 383. That might not be for several years.



Rob

 

With the Hotcam the lifters should work fine just look at the bottom of the lifter where it rides on the cam if it doesn't look all nicked up or scored you'll be fine. Save yourself the money.