Camshafts..

[oldblue1968chevy]

OK so dont bother cleaning cam/lifters?

I didnt clean my cam im using now installed right out of box.

[litew8]

Basic instruction -

"Before installing the camshaft and lifters, wash them thoroughly in clean mineral spirits to remove the rust preventative that is placed on the cam before shipping."

I'd imagine it's to clean - so you don't contaminate the oil.

[oldblue1968chevy]

Huh? litew8?

So wash it in mineral spirits or no lol

[litew8]

Yes (just wipe clean). Dry good after - air hose (water free!) if you have one.
It's probably not THAT big of a deal (to have to clean), but you should always try to be professional in EVERYTHING you do.
You'll learn that in the military too.

[oldblue1968chevy]

Okay so wipe with mineral spirits (I have access to a parts washer) then blow dry. Got it thanks guys

[litew8]

Not sure what solvent is used in your "parts washer", stick with "mineral spirits".

[oldblue1968chevy]

Its old mineral spirits. Kinda dirty Its filtered but I think i'll just use some out a bottle.

[oldblue1968chevy]

yay or nay on soaking lifters lol

i didnt soak my comp lifters (same thing)

[GASoline71]

No need to soak lifters. and I'm bettin' most of the cats here that build lots of engines don't either.

Gary

[oldblue1968chevy]

Should I bump the engine around to TDC before I take it apart or what? hopefully ima start in the AM soon as I clear a spot in the garage!

[68Stepbed]

Yes, put it at TDC. It makes reassembly much easier.

[oldblue1968chevy]

TDC compression stroke right

[prostreetC-10]

You mean to tell me this thing is not running yet??????????? LOL

[oldblue1968chevy]

One more thing

Im leaking oil from my drain bolt

I'll have it in/out alot in the next few days. Can I seal it up by putting something like teflon tape on the threads?

[oldblue1968chevy]

No its not even torn down yet LOL

I borrowed the puller tonite. Hopefully I'll start tom. soon as I build a fire and clear a spot in the garage out

[Captainfab]

It sounds to me like you need a new gasket on your drain plug.

[litew8]

What Captain said. You're suppose to change the drain plug gasket at every oil change (so they say). Thought you were looking for a new pan anyway? If the threads are stripped, don't know what to tell you - other than I think someone makes a repair kit for it.

[oldblue1968chevy]

Its a copper crush washer right?

I have a few around I"ll try that and something on the threads

threads are fine not stipped.

[litew8]

oops, no. I was referring to the nylon kind.

[oldblue1968chevy]

Ok 1 more.

My crank sprocket has 3 positions. With the dot @ 12 O clock (crank sprocket) the keyway is @ 2 O clock.

My motor has always ran @ 30* or so with no vac adv and its always puzzled me

Is something wrong here?

Thanks pix soon

[oldblue1968chevy]

Calling comp now I guess

Thanks

LMK what i need to do

ps how do i get the lifters out lol there flat with engine lol magnet no worky (sall one)

[GASoline71]

You need to read the instructions that came with the timing set for a 3 keyed crank gear. It will tell you where to set it up for TDC.

Are you talkin' 30 degrees initial??? holy cats!

You can pull the lifters out carefully with a pair of pliers.

Gary

[oldblue1968chevy]

Machine shop did the bottom end (assy) im not sure if I have the papers..I called comp and squared it away.

yeah 30 deg initial!

Ok the comp was real hard comming out (never done before either).

I got a little rough with it 2 times (turning via cam sprocket) There was some metal shavings (not sure from where) like metal hairs actually not very many but more than I wanted to see?

I got some pics but they dont show much. Whats excessive and now im worried.

Thanks guys its torn down but I have to go out with the MS.

Now im worried

Gary-I just tunred the cam and picked the lifters up as they came up.

Thanks guys leave me something good

[GASoline71]

You got 'em out. That's all that matters. Do any of the bottoms of the lifters look concave and "eaten up"?

Gary

[oldblue1968chevy]

Lobes on the cam look fine.

I glanced at the lifter bottoms as I was taking them out. Nothing JUMPED out at me

Only thing im worried about now is the metal hairs that came out toward the rear of the cam..