Cam Change questions
 

I was wondering how many hours is a cam changed billed at?
what's book rate on it ?
Also how many hours to change springs aswell
just having a hard time finding somone to do the work on my truck as i'm really busy with work

jim

I was able to do my cam and springs in 1 day about 9-10 hours
myself and 1 friend but I have done a few before

hope that helps some what

4-6 hours depending on the place. I've been quoted anywhere from 400 to 750 from shops before I did it myself.

If you go by the book a cam change will cost alot. Book time includes removing the heads to remove the lifters.
My buddy and I charge $300 for a cam and spring change but, I think the going rate is about $400 at a respectable speed shop. However, I don't know for sure as I have never paid for work on my truck, besides the exhaust.

I had my cam, pushrods and valve springs changed in 3hrs and 20 min. I was charged $350.

is degreeing a Cam really needed ?
I'm just a Newbie on the internal stuff
and to pull the heads to do the springs ?
i have head studs if that makes any difference
oh and by the way i just quoted 13.5 hours for cam change from i guy that use very rarely
i almost fell of my chair he said that i need to drop my oil pan ..so I'm not going to him to get any work done
Also any recommendation on a spring tool ?

Drop the oil pan? What the F_ _ K!

Is that guy ASE Certified?

I changed mine(cam only) in about four hours by myself being very cautious and taking my time. I could see springs taking an extra two if I had changed them then. I could probablly do it in half the time now with and extra set of hands. A buddy of mine locally charges $350 for a cam/spring swap.

13.5 hours... only if he takes 5 two hour beer beaks. That is bull shit. If he is doing it by himself, I'd say no more than 6 hours.

And no you don't have to pull the heads to do springs. I'm not sure if I would trust that guy.

Be careful man!

he's not going near the truck becuase he insisted that i needed to pull the oil pan first off and then he was a dick about it saying if you can do it better then have at it
I'm like no whatever man and i hung up :judge:
what's with People in the aftermarket/auto Business ???
All assholes these days :mad:
Only guy that helped me out is Seth from combonation motors Great guy
everyone else ...bunch of assholes
I have money how bout some service with a freaking smile :bang:
Even when they Claim they are changing things that's a load of crap too
as with those i have been dealing with ..
Now I'm just bitching sorry not going accomplish anything do it

The guy has never done a Gen3 motor since he's telling you he needs to pull the pan.He's thinking of the old smallblock engines where you do have to drop the front of the pan to get the cover on/off.The guys a hack stay away.

I got one from this guy in the tools section. I've heard they work great, especailly in the F-Body's tight quarter. I have yet to do mine. Too busy here. Anyways I'll probably have the springs changed when I get my heads P&P'd.

valve spring tool

How do you swap the cam without removing the lifters? I understand everything else, but how is this done?

I need to start selling my lifter tool. Anyone interested? Shouldn't be but about $35 or so if that. Depends on the machine work involved.

ill take one if itll make the cam swap easier, and if you can tell me how to change the cam without removing the lifters.

GReg ... I say go for it! If you wouldn't have already given me the trade secret's I'd be interested! :p

The cam change is rather simple if you can turn a wrench. It's all just a matter of taking stuff off, and putting it back in. There is an article over at www.ls1howto.com about it. It has good pictures and all, you might check it out.

Looks like the week of april 13 is gonna be D day for me
Got in contact with some people and things are looking good
Turbo here i come !!

Jim, I used an OEM brand spring compressor (it does not stand for orig. equip. manufact.) I rented it from an AutoZone autoparts store. I don't know if you guys have stores with loaner tools where you are...

Is D day when you receive the turbo parts or when you are doing your cam?
If you do it-cool it's easy. Springs take a while, but it is easy.
If a shop does it for you-it should be written down as about 6 hours max for cam and spring install.

They have some kind of retainer in there.I spun the cam about 5 or 6 times before pullling it and the lifter stayed up.I had my new cam greased up and ready,out with the old and in with the new. It was the next night before I changed springs and I had to push the lifters down with the pushrods.

There is a plastic cup in thre that they are compression fitted into.