What tools did you guys use when changing your cams. Did anyone use the JPR cam install tool.
http://www.thunderracing.com/catalog...d=108&pcid=171

I just read somewhere in the ls1 section that the tool will not fit newer model heads. And I just ordered one yesterday.

 

I have that tool, and used it on my 2001 Vette and 2002 Tahoe 5.3l........I did have a problem fully inserting the JPR rod on the passenger side of the 5.3l (block casting flash?). I had to use pen magnets on the last 4 lifters.

Good luck

 

Waste of money IMO. Every cam swap Ive done I used 1 1/4" wooden dowel cut in half at the cost of about $.45

 

what about spring compressor tools. what do you recommend?

 

I use a cheap screw type I got from Oreilly. I had one that you screwed into the stud hole then pried on it, but I broke two screws in the head, and that sucks. Somewhere they have one I think Thunderracing that looks like a rocker but is notched so you can get the keepers out, and you use a 3/8 drive ratchet to compress the springs. if I would have had any Idea how many times I needed the spring compressor, I would have spent the $$$.

 

http://thunderracing.com/catalog/?ac...id=89&pcid=171


here it is.

 

I had that on order but they said it would not be available until mid to late Feb. I cant wait that long.

 

I have the crane double spring tool and it works great...I bought it from Vinci
http://www.vincihighperformance.com/superwebdeals.HTML

 

Same here, that tool works awesome!

I also have the JPR tools and they worked fine on my 99 5.3, but I've heard that they don't always seem to work on the newer blocks.

 

The cam swap in my truck was done with 16 of those little pen magnets. Prolly not the cheapest way to go, but hey, how many uses are there for pen magnets in the shop? Last time I checked there were quite a few. Since the rocker arms had to come off anyway, I just put a magnet down each pushrod hole and rotated the cam to make sure all the lifters were up, and they held just fine. I have heard of people just turning the cam and hoping the lifters stay up in the lifter guides. Sometimes this works, but I wouldnt want to be there for when it doesnt work. Fishing lifters out of the oil pan isnt my idea of a good time.