Cam & Lifter Installation HELP!!

[ZZ-2000]

If you have installed a cam & lifters please reply...
Im going to atempt to install the Edlbrock cam & lift kit. This is the first time Ive ever cracked open an engine to do repairs. Ive been reading over install instructions for weeks,but I want some info from someone whose... "been their-done that"

How hard is this to do??
What problems have you run in to?
What special tools are needed?
Do I have to discharge AC or can I just move AC condenser?

My 85-GW has 150k miles and runs good,except for lifter clater that started last week.

Any problems with cam bearings?...lifters stuck in block?...timing chain?...etc.

PLEASE...ALL- TIPS, ADVICE, WARNINGS, STORIES, ANYTHING, WILL HELP!

PS. I missed you guys.


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<UL TYPE=SQUARE>85-GW
<LI>High Flow Cat <LI> 3-inch Exhaust <LI> K&N Filter <LI> MSD Coil [/list] The rest stock....For Now http://albums.photopoint.com/j/AlbumIndex?u=1296412&a=9615190
....but honey...I don't want A new jeep. I want to keep this one...

[JeepFreak]

Everything is pretty straight foward except for if you use thier timing chain set. The cam sprocket on the cam is degreed so you have to make sure it is in correctly. It will have a +4 degree, -4 degree, and a 0 or top dead center mark. The marks are a little confusing. The 0 is what you will be wanting to use. The mistake most people make is that they line up the Key hole like the TSM says to do but with the timing set from Edelbrock you have to actually line up the zero on the sprockets which puts the Key way in a 2 o'clock position. If you have any questions just email me and I will give you my number.

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JeepFreak

[ZZ-2000]

AHH YESS.. Thats What im talkin about!!!
I have the timing set ready to go in also.

Freak... you just saved me 2 days of frustration...

Your more than a Jeep Freak...Your like Rick James with a FSJ... (Super Jeep Freak!)

Thanks!!... Keep em comeing guys.

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<UL TYPE=SQUARE>85-GW
<LI>High Flow Cat <LI> 3-inch Exhaust <LI> K&N Filter <LI> MSD Coil [/list] The rest stock....For Now http://albums.photopoint.com/j/AlbumIndex?u=1296412&a=9615190
....but honey...I don't want A new jeep. I want to keep this one...

[David Simon]

Good timing, I'm right in the middle of this right now. I just swapped cams in my 88 today after work. It's taken me about a week to tear it down and now I'm going to start putting it back together. The front two lifters and cam lobes were shot.
To answer you questions I was able to unbolt the A/C condenser, after removing the radiator, and lift the driver's side up and prop it on the radiator bracket. Then remove the grill (very simple pull-out plastic things) and unbolt the trans cooler and let it hang by the rubber hoses out the front. You will now have a clear shot at the cam through the hole in the grill.
Thread a long bolt in the cam and carefully pull it straight out. Keep a hand close to the the block to support the cam. Be patient so you don't score the bearings if you're not having them changed.
I used a harmonic balancer puller, a lifter tool for lifters and a small gear puller for the sprocket.
The hardest part of the whole job was removing the stupid bracket that holds vacuum lines to the back of the driver's side head, I had the heads redone while I had it apart.
Good luck and let us know how it turns out.

David


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98 Cherokee (wife's)
97 TJ with all the goodies
88 GW
TFI Upgrade

[ZZ-2000]

Thanks Dave, Im glad I dont have to mess with the AC...
Do you have to replace the push rods with the cam & lifters?... And what size threds
on the long bolt to remove the cam??

OK...Who's next...


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<UL TYPE=SQUARE>85-GW
<LI>High Flow Cat <LI> 3-inch Exhaust <LI> K&N Filter <LI> MSD Coil [/list] The rest stock....For Now http://albums.photopoint.com/j/AlbumIndex?u=1296412&a=9615190
....but honey...I don't want A new jeep. I want to keep this one...

[JeepFreak]

If you are going to go to all the work of replacing the cam then go with new push rods and new valve springs. Edelbrock makes some for thier cam that have a heavier spring rate. This is what I used on my 360 and valve seating seems to be really good. Are you going with the Performer cam??? I went a step up on mine and oh what a difference. The only problem I have had is being able to use vacuum advance for timing. Even though you have less vacuum with a hotter cam the vacuum comes in really fast so my advance comes in to fast as well causing a pop in the intake manifold. This can be overcome buy using an aftermarket ignition box though. Man I love that off idle sound that cam makes. Just enough lope in the idle to make people look twice!

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JeepFreak

[ZZ-2000]

Im going with Edelbrock Performer cam. Edelbrock lists 2 valve spring kits,Rotator or non-rotator. which one do I need ?

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<UL TYPE=SQUARE>85-GW
<LI>High Flow Cat <LI> 3-inch Exhaust <LI> K&N Filter <LI> MSD Coil [/list] The rest stock....For Now http://albums.photopoint.com/j/AlbumIndex?u=1296412&a=9615190
....but honey...I don't want A new jeep. I want to keep this one...

[David Simon]

I did get new pushrods, like JeepFreak said if your going to that much trouble you might as well. They were only about $20 for a set of 16. I'm not sure what the thread size was, it was one of the bolts in my balancer remover set.
I got a stock replacement cam/lifter kit from Summit Racing. I was very happy with the Fel-Pro valley pan and head gaskets I got from them. What are the specs on the Performer cam? The stock replacement cam specs are @ .050 lift, 214 intake and 224 exhaust.
David

[ZZ-2000]

Performer Cam @ .050 lift,204 intake and 214 exhaust.

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<UL TYPE=SQUARE>85-GW
<LI>High Flow Cat <LI> 3-inch Exhaust <LI> K&N Filter <LI> MSD Coil [/list] The rest stock....For Now http://albums.photopoint.com/j/AlbumIndex?u=1296412&a=9615190
....but honey...I don't want A new jeep. I want to keep this one...

[jeepers]

hi guys the cam it i bought from comp has its own timing chain and gear set along with matched springs and lifters,what am i looking for on the chain set for timing marks?The cam i got is intake 224 and exhaust 224 lift.30 how will this affect vacuum advance?

[David Simon]

I'm not sure about that brand, both of the gears on mine have raised dots on them that have to be lined up.
Does anyone know how the different degrees on the cams affect performance and vacuum?
After reading other posts about the difficulties of reinstalling the front cover I think I may have found an easier way. I pulled the two dowels out, slipped the cover in place, lined it up using the bolts, and carefully tapped them back in. I did loosen three bolts on each side of the oil pan.
David