How hard and time consuming is cam swap? - The 1947 - Present Chevrolet & GMC Truck Message Board Network

*SMiller* · 02-10-2010, 04:36 PM

I am wanting a good sounding cam for my 454 1ton. How hard is swapping cams while in the truck? What am I looking at time wise? Anyone used a Comp Cams Thumpr' cam? Do I just remove the grill and radiator to get to it?

swb85 · 02-10-2010, 05:40 PM

Grill, radiator and a/c condensor (if equipped) have to move to get the cam out. Later model square's also have a piece in the center of the core support that needs cut/bent out of the way and then welded back afterwards....earlier trucks didn't have that, I don't remember the year it started.

jared87350 · 02-10-2010, 07:59 PM

just got through putting one in and it took about 12 hours to compleat from tear down ,clean up and putting back together. the job was on an 87 R-20.
dont forget to drop the oil pan a bit to remove the timing cover, and dont use the old lifters.

have fun ,great experience.

dont forget to mark the timing, or you will pull your hear out.

chevymotocross · 02-10-2010, 09:39 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jared87350

just got through putting one in and it took about 12 hours to compleat from tear down ,clean up and putting back together. the job was on an 87 R-20.
dont forget to drop the oil pan a bit to remove the timing cover, and dont use the old lifters.

have fun ,great experience.

dont forget to mark the timing, or you will pull your hear out.

Your truck equipped with TBI? If so what cam did you go with?

jared87350 · 02-11-2010, 01:13 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by chevymotocross

Your truck equipped with TBI? If so what cam did you go with?

Sure is.
i used a mild cam.

262/272 adv. dur.
420/442 lift

spinem · 02-11-2010, 02:46 AM

don't cut anything to do a cam swap. if your going to do a cam swap, pull the motor. its very hard and very time consuming, the average front yard mechanic would be looking at 2 weekends, giving you have all the tools and no stripped bolts.

Its very hard, whats the lift on that cam? highest you can lift on stock heads is 265 degrees? correct me if im wrong?
.
.
. edit:
I'm doing a cam swap and full motor pull this up coming sat, so ill try n take some pics.

*72lb4x4* · 02-11-2010, 04:58 AM

Am I the only one wondering if a "good sounding cam" is a good idea?

You can figure out for yourself pretty easily what's in front of the cam, and what's above it.

If sound is the point, buy a new sound system. If you want it to run think a bit better then its more complicated.

Headers, new exhaust, carb rebuild, jets, new carb, of course a tune up, decent ignition....

A cam alone is just sound.

*SMiller* · 02-11-2010, 09:19 AM

Well truth be told the cam I want makes 22 more hp then stock with just a swap and sounds VERY nice at idle, win win. I didn't know it was that time consuming though so I guess I will just be happy with a set of Flowmasters...

spinem · 02-11-2010, 03:31 PM

you will have to learn on your own like most of us already have, too big of cams, or cam and mismatched intake.... well, youll learn hah

*SMiller* · 02-11-2010, 05:42 PM

The cam I would be installing would be the Comp Cams Thumpr' cam, which is VERY mild and made to give a little more power across the board but with a lumpty idle, it is made for stock applications.

mongoose · 02-11-2010, 09:08 PM

dont run it.

it's not worth it to do all the work just to shove in a pile of crap.

spinem · 02-11-2010, 11:35 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by mongoose

dont run it.

it's not worth it to do all the work just to shove in a pile of crap.

agreed.

try some roller tip rockers first, jegs has em for 79-89 bucks. they say 15hp+ but thats with perfect conditions.

02-10-2010, 04:36 PM	#1
SMiller Account Suspended Join Date: Jun 2009 Location: Tipton IN Posts: 81	How hard and time consuming is cam swap? I am wanting a good sounding cam for my 454 1ton. How hard is swapping cams while in the truck? What am I looking at time wise? Anyone used a Comp Cams Thumpr' cam? Do I just remove the grill and radiator to get to it?

02-10-2010, 05:40 PM	#2
swb85 On a budget like Fred Sanford Join Date: Oct 2005 Location: Topeka, KS Posts: 2,031	Re: How hard and time consuming is cam swap? Grill, radiator and a/c condensor (if equipped) have to move to get the cam out. Later model square's also have a piece in the center of the core support that needs cut/bent out of the way and then welded back afterwards....earlier trucks didn't have that, I don't remember the year it started. __________________ '85 Silverado swb: 383 stroker, 10.5:1, vortec heads, 232/238 roller cam, RPM air gap, performer 750 carb, stainless longtubes, 3" duals/super 44's, T56/4.11 383ci build / exterior refresh thread '98 Camaro z28: 370ci twin turbo 370ci build '01 Tahoe LT 4x4: 5.3, longtubes/ory, magnaflow duals, custom tune....wife's DD

02-10-2010, 07:59 PM	#3
jared87350 Registered User Join Date: Sep 2009 Location: ontario, CA Posts: 86	Re: How hard and time consuming is cam swap? just got through putting one in and it took about 12 hours to compleat from tear down ,clean up and putting back together. the job was on an 87 R-20. dont forget to drop the oil pan a bit to remove the timing cover, and dont use the old lifters. have fun ,great experience. dont forget to mark the timing, or you will pull your hear out.

02-11-2010, 02:46 AM	#6
spinem haha, ford guys... Join Date: Feb 2007 Location: Visalia, CA Posts: 576	Re: How hard and time consuming is cam swap? don't cut anything to do a cam swap. if your going to do a cam swap, pull the motor. its very hard and very time consuming, the average front yard mechanic would be looking at 2 weekends, giving you have all the tools and no stripped bolts. Its very hard, whats the lift on that cam? highest you can lift on stock heads is 265 degrees? correct me if im wrong? . . . edit: I'm doing a cam swap and full motor pull this up coming sat, so ill try n take some pics. Last edited by spinem; 02-11-2010 at 02:47 AM. Reason: see edit

02-11-2010, 04:58 AM	#7
72lb4x4 Account Suspended Join Date: Jul 2006 Location: DFW Posts: 1,427	Re: How hard and time consuming is cam swap? Am I the only one wondering if a "good sounding cam" is a good idea? You can figure out for yourself pretty easily what's in front of the cam, and what's above it. If sound is the point, buy a new sound system. If you want it to run think a bit better then its more complicated. Headers, new exhaust, carb rebuild, jets, new carb, of course a tune up, decent ignition.... A cam alone is just sound.

02-11-2010, 09:19 AM	#8
SMiller Account Suspended Join Date: Jun 2009 Location: Tipton IN Posts: 81	Re: How hard and time consuming is cam swap? Well truth be told the cam I want makes 22 more hp then stock with just a swap and sounds VERY nice at idle, win win. I didn't know it was that time consuming though so I guess I will just be happy with a set of Flowmasters...

02-11-2010, 03:31 PM	#9
spinem haha, ford guys... Join Date: Feb 2007 Location: Visalia, CA Posts: 576	Re: How hard and time consuming is cam swap? you will have to learn on your own like most of us already have, too big of cams, or cam and mismatched intake.... well, youll learn hah

02-11-2010, 05:42 PM	#10
SMiller Account Suspended Join Date: Jun 2009 Location: Tipton IN Posts: 81	Re: How hard and time consuming is cam swap? The cam I would be installing would be the Comp Cams Thumpr' cam, which is VERY mild and made to give a little more power across the board but with a lumpty idle, it is made for stock applications.

02-11-2010, 09:08 PM	#11
mongoose Registered User Join Date: Feb 2009 Location: slurrey, bc. Posts: 1,134	Re: How hard and time consuming is cam swap? dont run it. it's not worth it to do all the work just to shove in a pile of crap. __________________ -'73 c/10 - Low with Go - will be complete... probably never. -'90 2wd Blazer - well... soon enough anyways. -'84 SWB - the daily gas guzzler.



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