+ Reply to Thread
Results 1 to 23 of 23

Thread: Pull engine to change cam?

  1. #1

    Default Pull engine to change cam?

    So I've been thinking about a cam swap. That being said, I don't want to have to pull the engine to do so. I just don't see the reasoning in pulling the engine without doing a full rebuild, and the engine still runs great. Can I pull lifters without pulling the head?
    "Those who dance are considered insane by those who can't hear the music" --George Carlin

  2. #2

    Default

    Yes leave the 360 in, if you do a cam swap go to borders .com and buy the how to build magnum performance motor book it'll explain everything you need to do.

  3. #3



    grapejuice1998's Avatar
    Send Lawyers Guns & Money

    Status
    Offline
    Join Date
    Jan 2008
    Location
    Dallas, TX
    Posts
    9,739

    Default

    Quote Originally Posted by captianoats View Post
    So I've been thinking about a cam swap. That being said, I don't want to have to pull the engine to do so. I just don't see the reasoning in pulling the engine without doing a full rebuild, and the engine still runs great. Can I pull lifters without pulling the head?

    I sure as Hell can't on my 408 with Rhodes lifters, but I assume it can be done on a stock motor (never tried). Even if you can't pull them all the way out, you can probably pull them up and use a light gauge wire to hold them there while you swap cams.
    The biggest obstacle will be the radiator and a/c condenser core. Those will have to be removed and or, lifted up out of the way (a/c).
    Alan Short
    D.R.T.C. #15


  4. #4



    Senior Member

    Status
    Offline
    Join Date
    Feb 2008
    Location
    Corrales, New Mexico
    Posts
    17,966

    Default

    Quote Originally Posted by captianoats View Post
    So I've been thinking about a cam swap. That being said, I don't want to have to pull the engine to do so. I just don't see the reasoning in pulling the engine without doing a full rebuild, and the engine still runs great. Can I pull lifters without pulling the head?
    You can do a cam swap without pulling the engine, and you can pull the lifters without pulling the heads, the head gasket might get in the way, but it can be done, I've done it many times.
    11.27 @ 118.23
    2017 NM Mopar Challenge Series Champion

  5. #5



    grapejuice1998's Avatar
    Send Lawyers Guns & Money

    Status
    Offline
    Join Date
    Jan 2008
    Location
    Dallas, TX
    Posts
    9,739

    Default

    Quote Originally Posted by Adobedude View Post
    You can do a cam swap without pulling the engine, and you can pull the lifters without pulling the heads, the head gasket might get in the way, but it can be done, I've done it many times.
    That's good to know. I assumed it was possible.
    I wasn't sure on that part of it, because I can't seem to get the lifters out of my 408 with the heads on. With the Rhodes and the Eddys anyway.
    The one time that I helped someone put a cam in a stock motor, we put heads on it at the same time.
    Alan Short
    D.R.T.C. #15


  6. #6



    Senior Member

    Status
    Offline
    Join Date
    Feb 2008
    Location
    Corrales, New Mexico
    Posts
    17,966

    Default

    Quote Originally Posted by grapejuice1998 View Post
    That's good to know. I assumed it was possible.
    I wasn't sure on that part of it, because I can't seem to get the lifters out of my 408 with the heads on. With the Rhodes and the Eddys anyway.
    The one time that I helped someone put a cam in a stock motor, we put heads on it at the same time.
    I was thinking about that the other day...My Eddys have been decked .0030, now it's gonna be tight.
    11.27 @ 118.23
    2017 NM Mopar Challenge Series Champion

  7. #7
    sox amigo

    Status
    Offline
    Join Date
    Mar 2009
    Location
    South of most, North of a few.
    Posts
    2,473

    Default

    Quote Originally Posted by Adobedude View Post
    I was thinking about that the other day...My Eddys have been decked .0030, now it's gonna be tight.
    lol and that seems to be about the clearance you have to get them out.
    <img src=images/smilies/worky.gif border=0 alt= title=Worky class=inlineimg />

  8. #8



    Senior Member

    Status
    Offline
    Join Date
    Feb 2008
    Location
    Corrales, New Mexico
    Posts
    17,966

    Default

    Quote Originally Posted by bfranzel View Post
    lol and that seems to be about the clearance you have to get them out.
    If that much.....
    11.27 @ 118.23
    2017 NM Mopar Challenge Series Champion

  9. #9

    Default

    I removed the radiator and when it was time I swung the ac condenser out of the way and tied it. Taking the front bumper and brace off helps also. You don't have to pull the engine.

    1998 R/T Club Cab
    408 Stroker, Diamond Racing Pistons, Crane Roller Rockers, R/T Heads, Comp Cams Custom Camshaft, Accel DFI & SCT, MSD Ignition, Aeromotive Fuel Pump, Hooker Headers, Electric Fan, and a Shaker.

  10. #10



    Senior Member

    Status
    Offline
    Join Date
    Feb 2008
    Location
    Corrales, New Mexico
    Posts
    17,966

    Default

    Quote Originally Posted by Koda98 View Post
    I removed the radiator and when it was time I swung the ac condenser out of the way and tied it. Taking the front bumper and brace off helps also. You don't have to pull the engine.
    Pics are worth a thousand words....

    11.27 @ 118.23
    2017 NM Mopar Challenge Series Champion

  11. #11
    sox amigo

    Status
    Offline
    Join Date
    Mar 2009
    Location
    South of most, North of a few.
    Posts
    2,473

    Default

    as long as you can get to the front of it, where theres a will theres a way
    <img src=images/smilies/worky.gif border=0 alt= title=Worky class=inlineimg />

  12. #12
    Step bumer & CCW's FTW!

    Status
    Offline
    Join Date
    Jun 2008
    Location
    Plattsburgh, NY
    Posts
    1,973

    Default

    I pulled my motor out when I did my cam and head swap. But that was because my cam bearings didn't look very healthy. I should have just stroked the motor when I had it at the machine show.

    2012 RAM R/T
    Belltech.

    2010 Challenger R/T
    Hurst. Billet Tech. Hop Not. SLP.

  13. #13
    Senior Member

    Status
    Offline
    Join Date
    Jan 2008
    Location
    Milpenis, California
    Posts
    952

    Default

    Quote Originally Posted by Adobedude View Post
    I was thinking about that the other day...My Eddys have been decked .0030, now it's gonna be tight.
    No matter how much you mill off the heads, it won't change the deck height of the BLOCK!

    Nolan
    3 Second Margin of Victory How many bullets does that thing hold?
    Remember, go as fast as possible and take all unnecessary chances.

  14. #14



    Senior Member

    Status
    Offline
    Join Date
    Feb 2008
    Location
    Corrales, New Mexico
    Posts
    17,966

    Default

    Quote Originally Posted by Nolan View Post
    No matter how much you mill off the heads, it won't change the deck height of the BLOCK!

    Nolan
    Doh....You're right.....LOL
    11.27 @ 118.23
    2017 NM Mopar Challenge Series Champion

  15. #15
    kota360's Avatar
    Senior Member

    Status
    Offline
    Join Date
    Jan 2008
    Location
    Hamilton, On., Ca.
    Posts
    910

    Default

    Quote Originally Posted by Adobedude View Post
    Pics are worth a thousand words....

    All that looks like to much work. It's way easier to just pull the engine and leave all that stuff intact. My motor should be coming out in a couple of weeks I will post the pictures. It will come out without removing the hood, radiator, or a/c condenser. Just a cherry picker and engine lift plate is all you need.
    Edelbrock Magnum heads, Harland-Sharp 1:6 RR, Jomar Performance Ultra-Lite Stud Girdle, SoutheastPerformance Sheet Metal Valve Covers, Custom Hyd Roller from Reed Cams, Mopar M-1 2 Brl Intake, Hughes Stage 1 TB, JBA SS Headers, Jacobs Electronics Pro Street Ignition System and Wires, MBRP 'Cuda Style Exhaust, Western Chassis 2" drop front and rear, Edelbrock IAS Shocks, Terry DeLong Pro-Glass Shaker Hood

  16. #16



    grapejuice1998's Avatar
    Send Lawyers Guns & Money

    Status
    Offline
    Join Date
    Jan 2008
    Location
    Dallas, TX
    Posts
    9,739

    Default

    Quote Originally Posted by kota360 View Post
    All that looks like to much work. It's way easier to just pull the engine and leave all that stuff intact. My motor should be coming out in a couple of weeks I will post the pictures. It will come out without removing the hood, radiator, or a/c condenser. Just a cherry picker and engine lift plate is all you need.
    You'll need to at least loosen the hood and lift it at a higher angle though. Been there, done that.

    Alan Short
    D.R.T.C. #15


  17. #17
    99408kotar/t's Avatar
    Senior Member

    Status
    Offline
    Join Date
    Jun 2008
    Location
    Crown Point, IN
    Posts
    2,164

    Default

    ive done 3 cam swaps with the motor in the truck. no way in hell i would pull the engine or rip off the front of the truck. pull the radiator and you can move the ac condensor far enough forward that the cam will clear.
    410, 10.3 comp pistons, P&P Eddies, 254 cam, 30lb injectors, sct tuner, 3800 viper stall, 4:56 yukon gears, hotchkis tvs, m1 4brrl, 58mm f&b tb, 1.7 rr, electric fan, jm longtube headers, B&M hammer shifter, Cope Racing Trans, Viper Brakes, SRT8 Seats, nx wet kit(100 shot)
    best time 11.32 @ 118 1.59 60' on spray(old motor). 11.76@115 n/a(new motor)
    DD 07 SRT8 Charger 12.55@112

  18. #18
    kota360's Avatar
    Senior Member

    Status
    Offline
    Join Date
    Jan 2008
    Location
    Hamilton, On., Ca.
    Posts
    910

    Default

    [QUOTE=grapejuice1998;141489]You'll need to at least loosen the hood and lift it at a higher angle though. Been there, done that.

    If you didn't use the chain, and used a lift plate on the intake, you wouldn't have to do anything with the hood. I will post when I'm doing the pull. Lift plates are your friend.
    Edelbrock Magnum heads, Harland-Sharp 1:6 RR, Jomar Performance Ultra-Lite Stud Girdle, SoutheastPerformance Sheet Metal Valve Covers, Custom Hyd Roller from Reed Cams, Mopar M-1 2 Brl Intake, Hughes Stage 1 TB, JBA SS Headers, Jacobs Electronics Pro Street Ignition System and Wires, MBRP 'Cuda Style Exhaust, Western Chassis 2" drop front and rear, Edelbrock IAS Shocks, Terry DeLong Pro-Glass Shaker Hood

  19. #19
    sox amigo

    Status
    Offline
    Join Date
    Mar 2009
    Location
    South of most, North of a few.
    Posts
    2,473

    Default

    [QUOTE=kota360;141511]
    Quote Originally Posted by grapejuice1998 View Post
    You'll need to at least loosen the hood and lift it at a higher angle though. Been there, done that.

    If you didn't use the chain, and used a lift plate on the intake, you wouldn't have to do anything with the hood. I will post when I'm doing the pull. Lift plates are your friend.
    ive pulled a few myself and im with grape. i also had the lift plate and the still didnt seem to help. also the fucking hood has only 4 nuts holding it on. so why not save your self the trtouble and take it off?
    <img src=images/smilies/worky.gif border=0 alt= title=Worky class=inlineimg />

  20. #20



    Senior Member

    Status
    Offline
    Join Date
    Feb 2008
    Location
    Corrales, New Mexico
    Posts
    17,966

    Default

    [QUOTE=bfranzel;141516]
    Quote Originally Posted by kota360 View Post

    ive pulled a few myself and im with grape. i also had the lift plate and the still didnt seem to help. also the fucking hood has only 4 nuts holding it on. so why not save your self the trtouble and take it off?
    I just take the hood off, one man job, makes the light a lot bettter too.
    11.27 @ 118.23
    2017 NM Mopar Challenge Series Champion

  21. #21
    sox amigo

    Status
    Offline
    Join Date
    Mar 2009
    Location
    South of most, North of a few.
    Posts
    2,473

    Default

    [QUOTE=Adobedude;141518]
    Quote Originally Posted by ;141516

    I just take the hood off, one man job, makes the light a lot bettter too.
    <img src=images/smilies/worky.gif border=0 alt= title=Worky class=inlineimg />

  22. #22



    grapejuice1998's Avatar
    Send Lawyers Guns & Money

    Status
    Offline
    Join Date
    Jan 2008
    Location
    Dallas, TX
    Posts
    9,739

    Default

    [QUOTE=kota360;141511]
    Quote Originally Posted by grapejuice1998 View Post
    You'll need to at least loosen the hood and lift it at a higher angle though. Been there, done that.

    If you didn't use the chain, and used a lift plate on the intake, you wouldn't have to do anything with the hood. I will post when I'm doing the pull. Lift plates are your friend.

    Good luck with that.
    Alan Short
    D.R.T.C. #15


  23. #23



    grapejuice1998's Avatar
    Send Lawyers Guns & Money

    Status
    Offline
    Join Date
    Jan 2008
    Location
    Dallas, TX
    Posts
    9,739

    Default

    [QUOTE=Adobedude;141518]
    Quote Originally Posted by bfranzel View Post

    I just take the hood off, one man job, makes the light a lot bettter too.
    I have done it that way too, but I don't have enough room in my shop to put the hood anywhere were it won't get f'd up, so I came up with the idea of loosening the bolts and lifting it out of my way. You're right though, there is tons more light with the hood off. I have a 4', 2 light fluorescent fixture that I wire to the grille hanger, which eliminates that problem though.
    Alan Short
    D.R.T.C. #15


+ Reply to Thread

Posting Permissions

  • You may post new threads
  • You may post replies
  • You may not post attachments
  • You may not edit your posts
  •