Cam change in progress w/pics.
Yeah, but, how are you going to GET That experience, unless you do it?
Catch 22.
Rebuilding a motor can be complicated..... and a lot of it is simply technique, which you develop, and improve, over time. The first engine I built, ran for about two weeks, at which point, it froze, and blew the block into little bitty pieces. (I TOLD my dad to put the friggin anti-freeze in there........ oh well.) Since then, I lost count of how many...... Having the SPACE is one of the biggest challenges. It's gotta be clean, organized, and large enough that you can do what ya gotta. Doing cam bearings on the engine stand/bench is simple. (with the right tools) Doing it in the truck is more fun, and requires far more care. I could rarely afford to pay machine shops to do much of the work on mine, and even when I WASN'T paying for it, I actually ENJOYED doing as much as I possibly could. (made for a nice excuse to buy tools too...... wish I still had them all.....) Ok, I will stop rambling now.....
Do you have something else to drive while the truck is down? How many miles on the short block? May not hurt to just yank it, and re-ring it while its out???
Catch 22.Rebuilding a motor can be complicated..... and a lot of it is simply technique, which you develop, and improve, over time. The first engine I built, ran for about two weeks, at which point, it froze, and blew the block into little bitty pieces. (I TOLD my dad to put the friggin anti-freeze in there........ oh well.) Since then, I lost count of how many...... Having the SPACE is one of the biggest challenges. It's gotta be clean, organized, and large enough that you can do what ya gotta. Doing cam bearings on the engine stand/bench is simple. (with the right tools) Doing it in the truck is more fun, and requires far more care. I could rarely afford to pay machine shops to do much of the work on mine, and even when I WASN'T paying for it, I actually ENJOYED doing as much as I possibly could. (made for a nice excuse to buy tools too...... wish I still had them all.....) Ok, I will stop rambling now.....

Do you have something else to drive while the truck is down? How many miles on the short block? May not hurt to just yank it, and re-ring it while its out???
You got that right boss....in this instance.
It's out now....... lol
POV relative!
It's out now....... lol
POV relative!
if your going or have already yanked the motor. Why not go to 408. you can honestly do it alot cheaper then those kits. Get a cast crank for around 300 bucks, and if you get stock bore forged pistons for around 400(go with forged b/c they require a slightly larger bore then cast). Just keep the stock rods, as they are forged.
as long as your not trying to make 500hp or something crazy like that, you'll be fine.
as long as your not trying to make 500hp or something crazy like that, you'll be fine.
if your going or have already yanked the motor. Why not go to 408. you can honestly do it alot cheaper then those kits. Get a cast crank for around 300 bucks, and if you get stock bore forged pistons for around 400(go with forged b/c they require a slightly larger bore then cast). Just keep the stock rods, as they are forged.
as long as your not trying to make 500hp or something crazy like that, you'll be fine.
as long as your not trying to make 500hp or something crazy like that, you'll be fine.
if your going or have already yanked the motor. Why not go to 408. you can honestly do it alot cheaper then those kits. Get a cast crank for around 300 bucks, and if you get stock bore forged pistons for around 400(go with forged b/c they require a slightly larger bore then cast). Just keep the stock rods, as they are forged.
as long as your not trying to make 500hp or something crazy like that, you'll be fine.
as long as your not trying to make 500hp or something crazy like that, you'll be fine.
ps. if the engine was pulled, all the cam bearings would be replaced.
So the engine pull was not done and not going to happen until the next motor is built to swap in. What will it be...not really any specifics right now. More importantly I'll be taking my time to work that plan out, especially since I'll have this cams swap and other assorted mods to experience and weigh in.
Last edited by Wh1t3NuKle; Jan 11, 2012 at 01:49 AM.
1. Mopar Double Roller Timing Chain Installed.
2. Used original thrust plate. Chain was so tight could not use the Mopar Tensioner.
3. Had to remove the timing key from old camshaft and put into the new crane. Apparently not all new cams come with keys. Then had to reduce the size of the key for fitment.
4. Lifters, lifter retainers, spider cage, pushrods, rocker arms installed.
5. Broke a rocker arm bolt from over torquing. Retrieved easily and getting new bolts all the way around.






2. Used original thrust plate. Chain was so tight could not use the Mopar Tensioner.
3. Had to remove the timing key from old camshaft and put into the new crane. Apparently not all new cams come with keys. Then had to reduce the size of the key for fitment.
4. Lifters, lifter retainers, spider cage, pushrods, rocker arms installed.
5. Broke a rocker arm bolt from over torquing. Retrieved easily and getting new bolts all the way around.
























