Author Topic: Change cam while engine in car ?  (Read 1359 times)

Offline Racer57

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Change cam while engine in car ?
« on: January 06, 2017 - 09:56:33 PM »
70 cuda

Acquaintance says he can easily change the cam in my 383 while engine is still in car by simply removing the radiator. I have no desire at this time to change cam, nor would I ever let this guy touch my car.  But is it possible ? 




Offline cudabob496

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Re: Change cam while engine in car ?
« Reply #1 on: January 06, 2017 - 10:18:39 PM »
would think so without a doubt, but have only done it on my Trans Am
72 Cuda, owned 25 years. 496, with ported Stage VI heads, .625 in solid roller, 254/258 at .050, 3500 stall, 3.91 rear. 850 Holley DP, Reverse manual valve body.

1999 Trans Am, LS1, heads, cam, headers, stall, etc! Love to surprise the rice rockets with this one. They seem so confident, then it's "what the heck just happened?"

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Offline Cudakiller70

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Re: Change cam while engine in car ?
« Reply #2 on: January 06, 2017 - 10:24:11 PM »
Doing it to a 340 71 Challenger now, plenty of room just too cold to finish at the moment. Is a 383 block longer?
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Offline dodj

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Re: Change cam while engine in car ?
« Reply #3 on: January 06, 2017 - 10:37:41 PM »
70 cuda

Acquaintance says he can easily change the cam in my 383 while engine is still in car by simply removing the radiator.  is it possible ?
No.

He also needs to remove the carb, intake, rockers, pushrods, water pump, timing cover, fan. As well as the rad.  :bigsmile:
Scott
1973 Challenger  440 4 spd 
2007.5 3500 6.7 Cummins Diesel, Anarchy tuned.
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Offline 1 Wild R/T

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Re: Change cam while engine in car ?
« Reply #4 on: January 06, 2017 - 11:36:10 PM »
No.

He also needs to remove the carb, intake, rockers, pushrods, water pump, timing cover, fan. As well as the rad.  :bigsmile:

Ya got me, I was about to challenge you on that..... Done it dozens of times....
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Offline Beekeeper

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Re: Change cam while engine in car ?
« Reply #5 on: January 07, 2017 - 10:54:26 AM »
I did this a couple times on B body big block cars and it's not a big deal. The problem though is trying to degree the cam in the car.

Offline moper

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Re: Change cam while engine in car ?
« Reply #6 on: January 09, 2017 - 03:32:26 PM »
X2

To degree it you need a smaller diameter wheel and/or jack the engine up a bit. But replacing the cam was on the order of 4 hrs flat rate...lol.