Cam and headers help? - NJFBOA - Home of New Jersey's Camaros and Firebirds

WayFast84 · 01-24-2006, 06:59 PM

My cars at the mechanic and they want $1000 to install headers and cam shaft, can any one help me install one or both of them so I can save some money? as most of you know Im 14 and have NO clue about engines and what not.

matt

V · 01-24-2006, 08:29 PM

just start unbolting stuff..thats how i learned, by doing that an having a good shop manual on had, you could do it.

camaro2you · 01-24-2006, 08:44 PM

come down here lol.

NJSPEEDER · 01-24-2006, 09:13 PM

when were you looking to do this stuff. if you wanna plan a few weeks ahead i am sure someone will be able to help ya.

Tru2Chevy · 01-24-2006, 11:40 PM

Yea, don't pay a mechanic that much for just a cam and headers. Some fellow NJFBOAers will gladly help you out with some advanced notice.

- Justin

WayFast84 · 01-25-2006, 02:19 PM

I was hoping to have them installed before dyno day but it honestly doesnt matter that much Ill be there regardless with the bird..

jims69camaro · 01-25-2006, 06:06 PM

get some penetrating lube. the stock nuts and bolts holding your exhaust manifold on are going to need to be soaked prior to the install day. do you have gaskets for the headers? if not, go buy them.

measure the new cam shaft and the distance between the front of the engine block and the nearest obstacle in the nose (radiator most likely will have to come out, so try to measure beyond that) to get an idea if the nose will have to come off to do the cam install. if there isn't enough room between the block and the nearest obstacle, the nose will likely be partially dissassembled prior to install day. you want to get as much of this stuff out of the way so the install goes smoothly.

Tru2Chevy · 01-25-2006, 07:12 PM

Just the radiator needs to be pulled, I think you can move the AC condensor out of the way enough to get the cam in and out without any hassle. A cam swap really can be done in an afternoon as long as you have everything that you need (basic tools, all gaskets, and a full can of Right Stuff).

- Justin

BigAls87Z28 · 01-25-2006, 07:24 PM

deffinatly gunna have to remove radiator and ac condencer. Also remove the carb and intake so that you can get to the pushrods and lifters. loosen the rockers, and pull the pushrods and lifters out. Then remove the accessories and waterpump. Then you have to remove the timing cover. Here is some good advice, get yourself a 2pc timing cover. You might also want to consider a new timing gears and chain. I think the one I have should fit your car.
Then put it all back together, and start her up. Get some EOS so that you dont whipe a lobe out, and put it in the oil. Tighten up the rockers and lash them, and you should be set. Then install the headers, which is a easier adventure.
Big thing is that you might need a bracket or two to put your stuff back together such as AC and PS.

WayFast84 · 01-25-2006, 09:26 PM

I have the headers and the cam + lifters, can I have a parts list of everything else Ill need? and this thread was more of a who can help me out verses telling me what to do online..

camaroracer1992 · 01-25-2006, 09:32 PM

damn ill do that for a grand hehe

WayFast84 · 01-25-2006, 09:35 PM

Well the whole point is so I dont have to pay a grand..and even more importantly learn some stuff

jims69camaro · 01-26-2006, 07:28 AM

i won't be able to help you out until it gets a bit warmer out. i was just trying to get you prepared for the actual day of installation, not tell you how-to. if you wanted a how-to, i am sure there are resources available on thirdgen.org and elsewhere.

Tru2Chevy · 01-26-2006, 10:21 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by WayFast84

I have the headers and the cam + lifters, can I have a parts list of everything else Ill need? and this thread was more of a who can help me out verses telling me what to do online..

Do you have a basic wrench and ratchet set?

You will need a few cans of pb blaster (for rusty bolts)
2-3 gallons of antifreeze to refill the system (don't remember how much)
Oil (oil change should be done shortly after cam break-in)
Top end gaskets (carb, intake, water neck, water pump, etc - should be in a kit all together)
Header gaskets
Header bolts
Right Stuff RTV silicone - 1 or 2 cans are always good to have around.
Ziploc bags, masking tape, and a Sharpie to sort and mark items during dissassembly

This should pretty much cover your bases. Can anyone else think of something I missed?

- Justin

BigAls87Z28 · 01-27-2006, 12:53 AM

Camera, either digital or whatever, but to take a picture and see how it was put together, its something you can refference.
Make sure you have lubricants and anti-sieze, thread locker. Also, get some good cam break in lube. I think I still have a tube left.
Id be more then happy to help out. Ive done it once, I guess I could do it again.

WayFast84 · 01-27-2006, 05:34 PM

I was thinking about sat. march 11 (2 weeks before dyno day) to do this, but then I realized if we dont get done then and we need another week end to do it I might not have enough time to have my cut out installed... do you guys think its enough time?

WayFast84 · 02-05-2006, 09:44 AM

tt Ill be doing it sat. march 11!! any help is good help! we are probably gonna have a barbq or order pizza depends on the amount of people who come!

qwikz28 · 02-06-2006, 12:02 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by WayFast84

tt Ill be doing it sat. march 11!! any help is good help! we are probably gonna have a barbq or order pizza depends on the amount of people who come!

why didnt you say that **** earlier! i'm there, i'll be handing someone screw drivers and eating all the food

Savage_Messiah · 02-06-2006, 08:03 AM

I WANT to be there, I wanna learn how to do cam installs and although I'm yet to do them (debating between cheap( used for a friend) coated pacesetters or waiting for longtubes) I believe headers are within my wrenching capacity

Thing is it looks liek I have a conflict for that day... :/

Tru2Chevy · 02-06-2006, 10:01 AM

I don't have any plans as of yet, so I'm tentatively in for lending a hand.

- Justin

jims69camaro · 02-06-2006, 10:17 AM

it all depends on the weather. the cold cuts right through me and increases the pain exponentially regardless of the amount of percocet in my system.

all i need is an address.

NJSPEEDER · 02-06-2006, 06:26 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by qwikz28

i'll be handing someone screw drivers

i prefer vodka and cranberry, but screwdrivers will do if it is all that is available

Ian · 02-06-2006, 07:13 PM

you'll have enough time for the cam and cut out. just have two people working on the cam and two people working on the cut out. Hell, you really only need one person per job, but taking the top end of a motor apart is definitly faster with 4 hands.

Ian · 02-06-2006, 07:14 PM

and it depends if I have work that day or not, but I'll lend a hand.

WayFast84 · 02-06-2006, 07:30 PM

NICE! Jim: we have a garage..and a heater if its that cold...hell if we need to we can pull my motor and brin it in my living room! lol does any one know how hard to replace valve seals? if so could we add that to the list, or to much work for one day? Looking foward to this! if I went to road runners and said I had a 305 and Im doing headers and a cam, do you think they would know exzactly everything Ill need? or should I have a detailed parts list before hand?