NO BOUNCE Most everyone straightens camshafts with a rounded chisel. Your efforts are more productive by supporting the cam. I lay it on a piece of carpet runner, and it makes it quicker and easier. I used to do it on the V -blocks, but this is much more effective....
ROCKER ARM ADJUSTMENT AND LIFTER PRELOAD Many engines and all but a few Chrysler engines were equipped at the factory with non-adjustable rocker arms. Anytime a solid lifter roller or flat tappet camshaft is used, you must also use adjustable rocker arms and the...
CAM CENTERS When I need to polish the main journals on a camshaft, I use a straight shank center, or a large center drill will work. Insert the center deep enough in the chuck so the Cam pin or a stud will rest against a chuck jaw. All Cams have the centers on both...
FREE UP ONE HAND I found an easy way to bleed hydraulic lifter buckets in the vice. I stick a small hex bit into the socket head bolt that holds the jaws to the vise. Then you just need to hold the lifter in 1 hand and work the vise with the other. Josh Alexander...
GIVE IT SOME BODY Some cam lubes are thin and drip off the cam lobes. I take thin lube and add gel capabilities to hold on to the cam lobe until start up. To do this, I add a small amount of petroleum jelly to thin cam lubes. It gives them more body so they’ll stay in...
NUMBER YOUR LIFTERS When installing flat tappet lifters, we number the lifters to their corresponding cylinders. This can be useful in the event that the engine is ever disassembled. This helps to keep the lifters from getting out of order and to ensure they are put...