I am about to do a cam swap, nothing big, just a '01 6.0L cam into a '02 4.8L. I know the cams are different, I am doing it myself just so it would be worth the little gain I get. My motor has a little over 40,000 miles on it. My question is, do I need to worry about the timing set needing to be changed? If so, I want to do it while I am in there and waiting until I have it apart to see how much slack is in the set is not an option either. If there is a possibility that it might be worn enough to warrant it being changed I will do it. And what is recommended to go back in it?
Thanks

 

How many miles? I am doing the same but with a Z06 cam and I am going to be using a adjustable double roller chain, advancing it 4*. Timing chains are cheap insurance to me, but depending on the miles you have, depends on if you really need it or not. SDPC has them for under a 100.

 

My truck has 44,000 on it. What brand of timing set is that and what is the website? I plan on doing some heavy towing and I am leaning towards changing it, for the cheap insurance factor.

 

http://www.sdpc2000.com/cart.asp?act...2267&pid=90939

I would get that one.

 

Id go for a Rollmaster double roller. Thats what I got. Oil pump does have to be shimmed out a bit with the double rollers.

 

if you dont want to change them you dont have to. i have put two cams in and i didnt change mine. last one at 48.000/

 

The Rollmaster double adjustable set is quality at a good price, but the instructions that come with it leave a lot to be desired. I didn't realize there was that much of a difference between Austrailian English and American English until I tried to translate the install sheet. It not too bad if you install the cam straight up (DOT to DOT), but if you add advance or retard you better have an interpreter. Be sure to get the shim on the output port side of the pump oriented correctly. If you install it upside down which can be done you will reduce your oil pressure BIG TIME. Also getting the pickup tube into the oil pump input port is difficult because the pump has been moved forward 3mm. Be SURE to install a NEW "O" ring on the pickup tube and if you have trouble getting the tube into the pump you can remove the cover and take the DRIVE and DRIVEN gears out of the pump. The extra wriggle room this gives you makes getting the tube into the pump a lot easier. If found this out when I had this problem replacing my oil pump after putting in a double row Rollmaster. I figured taking the gears out might help and that was just the ticket.