Hey folks, I'm thinking of picking up a cam and anyway here is what I need to know. How hard is it to put it in? With the motor still in the car? I'm not totally inept when it comes to stuff like this, but my knowledge of cam and cam accessories is nil. Any special tools required? How long of a job is it for a first timer? Thanks.
How many miles on the engine? If you are going to do it, get new grooved cam bearings from TA. You may want to consider reworking the heads too.
Hey Trevor.I did a cam swap on my GS a few years ago.Pretty generic on most V8`s.The GM Buick shop manual is pretty easy to follow for reference.You should consider "degreeing"it in,a lot of info on the board about it. What cam are you considering?? Later,Tony.
Let's see miles on the engine? Got me. Odometer says 60 000 I know it's rolled at least once. (I've only had it 3 years) It isn't the original motor so I couldn't even guess as too how many miles it has. Jim walker is selling his TA 212 looking at the TA website the 212 looks to be pretty good for an otherwise fairly stock motor. Am I wrong? I imagine I should probably get a new timing chain too huh? Degree a cam you say? Looks like I'll be looking that up too!
Trevor,from what I know the TA212 should be good with a fairly stock engine and converter.New lifters,gears,chain.I would think a stocker set would be fine for a cruiser/driver. Others may suggest a double roller.Later,Tony.
Most likely you will have to remove the fan shroud and radiator. Or maybe loosen the radiator nuts so you can tilt it back without removing it. Goodluck with the swap.:TU:
This would require taking the block to a machine shop. Probably not necessary unless you are planning on rebuilding the engine simultaneously with the cam swap. Getting to the cam and lifters requires pulling the intake and carb, and pulling off the water pump and timing cover. I am not sure about the Buicks, but on an Olds you have to pull the balancer off the crank snout and also drop the oil pan in the front to remove the timing cover. Removing the balancer requires a special puller that you can get at the auto parts store for reasonably cheap. To do it in the car, you will need to pull the radiator and remove the grill to slide the cam in and out. Degreeing the cam is the hardest part. Do some research on that. The rest of it is just held together with gaskets and bolts and is fairly easy to remove and reassemble. Take notes and pictures as you remove stuff so you can remember how it goes back together. If you have a friend that has done a cam swap to help out, that would be beneficial. Ben
Trevor,Ben pretty much kicked in the swap info details to a "T" :TU: I could have typed all that but he saved me the work!!! :laugh: Later guys,Tony.
If the cam you are getting is used, then make sure you get the lifters that were used with it! And make sure they are marked where they went.
Trevor.Adam has a very important point also. Hey Adam,where did I hear that before..:grin: I saw your recent pics on another thread..That Hiway hauler looks better and better!! :TU: Later guys,Tony.
