Help with Cam Install

[Wtfan18]

Hey guys i have my Thuner racing cam and parts on their way and would like to get started when i recieve them. i have a 2002 5.3(will be on a stand) this cam will be going into and have never installed a cam before but i found this guide on ls1tech and it seems pretty detailed check it out if youd like
LS1Howto.com i just wanted to know if an ls1 will be pretty much the same as a 5.3 as the article is on a ls1. Sorry if this is a stupid question i really just dont want to mess anything up but want to do it myself. Thanks!

[RedHeartbeat]

Yes, that is a very good guide.

You can even turn the engine upside down to keep lifters from falling into the pan when on an engine stand.

[Wtfan18]

oh no kidding instead of compressing the cylinders? that would be sweet!

[RedHeartbeat]

Yeah, that was mainly for the cam but the same physics will help on spring install, too.

[farmtruc]

The lifters will stay up on their own, I've never had one fall.
It would be kind of hard to change the springs upside down lol.

The hardest part is removing the crank bolt, then torque'n it down, get over that and it's pretty straight forward.
Put a small dap of silicon on the corner where the oil pan and timing cover meet.
Also, if you don't have a timing cover install tool, loosely put the timing cover on, then install the front pulley, it will do a good job of centering the timing cover.
Then tigthen the timing cover evenly.

good luck,
allen

[RedHeartbeat]

Balancer is easy to remove on the stand. Put a piece of chain through it and bolt it to the side of the block the keep it from turning. I cut a 2x4 long enough to go from the exhaust manifold down to the ground to keep the engine from trying to flip over when turning the crank bolt with a cheater pipe. It also works for when you put it back on. Don't forget to follow GM's procedure for torquing the crank bolt.

Dont turn it upside down, revolve it so that the valves are level.

[Wtfan18]

haha thanks guys hopefully this wont be to bad. any tips are greatly appreciated!

[txarkitekt]

It would be kind of hard to change the springs upside down lol.

Allen...effin hilarious! I was thinking the same thing! And I have never (fingers crossed) had a lifter fall either. Just hold your breath while sliding the cam out/putting it back in.
Greg makes good points, but turning it 180*--or even 90*--would be too much work on getting the springs off without letting the valves fall. Just compress the cylinders with air and stand on your own two feet while taking the springs off...

[Wtfan18]

im working in my little garage out back of my house and my dad has the compressor in his garage but will a little tank that fills 120 psi work for compression? also where can i find the GM specs for torqing the crank bolt?

[farmtruc]

120 psi work for compression?

That's plenty, just be careful, it will spin the engine just a few degrees, but will stop on it's own.

Also, when you compress the spring and notice the components don't come apart and the valve pushes down, just tap it with a rubber hammer and it will free up, that happens sometimes.