In Car Cam Swap: 1969 Buick GS 400

A piston stop through the plug hole will give you an exact tdc. After the stop is in the hole you roll the motor over until it hits the stop. Mark on the wheel where your pointer is. Roll it in the opposite direction until it stops again and make a mark on the wheel. Figure the difference between the 2 marks. Tdc is the exact middle of the 2 marks. Remove the piston stop and turn the motor over to that middle point. Then turn the degree wheel (without turning the motor) so the pointer is at the tdc mark on the degree wheel. Voila your wheel is set with no guessing.

 

Do I make on or buy one? My plan is to degree in the cam and then decide if I want to spend another $180 for a 9 way timing chain depending on how much its out. Does 4 degrees make a lot of difference as an example? Ordered the dial indicator, still looking for the wheel. Remember my timing chain has only 2000 miles on it. I'm still a little unclear on how timing chain backlash effects measurements and the chain seems a little loose to me. Thanks again Joe for all the help. Kind regards, Mike

 

What springs are in it now? That's a lot of cam for stock springs. What were the recommended springs for that cam?

Re-using a camshaft is now somewhat risky. You might get by with it...you might not.

Yes. Degree the cam.

 

Might want to remove all your spark plugs when finding tdc, unless you want a better workout and to turn against all that motor compression.

 

I'm starting to think I should just focus on fixing the oil leak.

 

How'd this end up working?

 

Old thread back from the dead?
I wouldn't want to run a 113A without a valve spring upgrade, and definitely not with the stock torque converter (assuming it's an automatic). At that point, might as well pull the motor.

 

Blonde moment. I just read the whole thread looking for a non existent go pro video (in car no less?) of a cam swap? The title got me big time!

 

About re-using a camshaft. I know with the current oil that a flat tappet is iffy to start with, but wouldn't a used cam be work-hardened more than a new cam? Wear pattern probably isn't exactly the same from motor to motor due to machining tolerances, but it seems like it could actually be a benefit. Am I off base?

 

Yeah, "In Car" means something totally different these days, lol.

 

Unfortunately I never did the cam swap. I replaced the timing cover and have moved on. I did buy all the equipment and have plans to try the cam degreeing on the old motor. Would there really be a problem using a used cam and new lifters? Cheers, Mike

 

That apparently isn’t a problem. However break it in as you normally would with a new cam. Also, old lifters new cam is a big no no