Hi Guru, If you try to take the cam out you will have to pull the intake manifold off and remove the valley pan. Then pull the lifters up as far as you can (they cannot be pulled out completely because they are mushroom lifters) then fashion some wooden clothes pins by grinding off about half of the tip and grip the end of the lifter at the top (push rod end). After you grip all 16 lifters (don't forget to pull the distributer out) pull the camshaft out. It is a hassle to do this and there is really no way to replace the lifters unless you have the engine out of the car and the engine is turned upside down, and if you replace the camshaft you really need to replace the lifters also.

                                                                                 Andy of Mayberry

Ooohh that really is going the next step.. its does seem worthwhile doing the timing chain though,Mmm now another thing to order

I will consult with my local gurus Rick and John as I get closer..



"Came too close to dying to stop living now!"

The timing chain replacement is a good idea and it is really not hard to do. There needs to be 12 pins between the timing marks on the timing gears and the timing marks need to be on the left side of the engine as you look at the front of the engine. A new chain and gears will make the old Y-Block run better. With 93,000 miles on the clock it is probably worn out.

                                                                              Andy of Mayberry

Craig:

You must have looked at the Eickman book when you posted the location of the timing marks.  The marks have to be on the left side of the engine when viewed from the driver's seat, not the left side as viewed from the front.  The dots are on the oil filter side of engine!!!!  Eickman has it wrong.

John - "The Hoosier Hurricane"

I assume when do this that its a straight forward fit..as in I dont need a degree wheel or anything?



"Came too close to dying to stop living now!"

To clarify re the incorrect timing chain photo in Eickman's book. The chain is on the right viewed from the front in the photo, however, the engine is upside down, so the installation is as John pointed out, incorrect.

Paul

Here’s a picture to correct the one that’s in Eichman’s Y-Block book.  As John brings up, the dots on timing gears are on the oil filter side of the engine.  Twelve pins between the dots for conventional timing chain sets.

 

Lorena, Texas (South of Waco)

So this is all TDC  ? how do the gears come off ?



"Came too close to dying to stop living now!"

They might pull off pretty easily. If not, use some big screw drivers and carefully pry them off. Keep track of the order in which the camshaft hardware is removed. There are washers, and spacers that need to go back on in the same order.


Lawrenceville, GA

  Hi Ted, I don't know what I was thinking about when I said the left side of the engine as you stand from the front I really meant the right. I don't know my right from my left I guess. I apoligize for my blantant mistake. Hope John F. will accept my apology also. I just love the forum and thank you both for finding my mistake!!

                                                                             Fordially, Craig Seyfried