Doing my first Cam swap today.. 4 easy questions..

Grits

Grits

SEE!! I do have a neck!
Founding Member
Aug 25, 2000
2,013
0
46
Colorado Springs, CO
#1
Like the title says in doing my first cam install today... with a TFS stage 1..

1. What sorta lube should i use on the jounals? Do i need a handle to attach to the outside of the cam to get the old cam out/new one in? Its going into a shortblock with about 80,000 miles... heads are off and its out of the car. Pistons, rods, crank are all still installed.

2. I ordered a Speed-pro high volume oil pump today, and was wondering if it was neccesary to buy a new pickup? or just clean and reuse the old one...

3. I also got the TFS Valvespring kit, and it came with new valve seals... my heads are at the machine shop right now getting a 3 angle valve job, and cleaned up... Can i install the new valve seals myself? or do i need to have the machine shop do it?

4. Ill be using this gasket set from Fel-pro.... after i ordered it, i relised it said it was for the 1962-1982 5.0... will this gasket set work? or do i need to send it back? the engine im building is a 1999 explorer 302.


Thanks... I apprecaite the help
 
#3
i would send back the old gasket set and get a new one because i think there is a little difference in the gaskets and you can keep the old pickup just clean it and you will be ok and might as well have the machine shop do the valve seals to be on the safe side
 
#5
Grits said:
Like the title says in doing my first cam install today... with a TFS stage 1..

1. What sorta lube should i use on the jounals? Do i need a handle to attach to the outside of the cam to get the old cam out/new one in? Its going into a shortblock with about 80,000 miles... heads are off and its out of the car. Pistons, rods, crank are all still installed.

2. I ordered a Speed-pro high volume oil pump today, and was wondering if it was neccesary to buy a new pickup? or just clean and reuse the old one...

3. I also got the TFS Valvespring kit, and it came with new valve seals... my heads are at the machine shop right now getting a 3 angle valve job, and cleaned up... Can i install the new valve seals myself? or do i need to have the machine shop do it?

4. Ill be using this gasket set from Fel-pro.... after i ordered it, i relised it said it was for the 1962-1982 5.0... will this gasket set work? or do i need to send it back? the engine im building is a 1999 explorer 302.


Thanks... I apprecaite the help
Click to expand...
1.) Coat journals with assembly lube and lobes with motor oil. If motor is going to sit for a while coat the lobes with assembly lube too. Dont forget to coat the cam gear for the distributor gear with assembly lube too. Follow the break in recommendations and change the oil when your done.

2.) Buy a new pick up. It'll be something less to worry about at night.

3.)Take the valve seals to the machine shop rather than install them yourself.

4.)Most of the gaskets should work. Main gaskets that may or may not be different are going to be the rear main seal, front timing cover seal, and the upper to lower gasket will be missing completely.
 
#6
I would use engine assembly lube on the cam. Put a generous amount on there. It's probably not as critical with a roller cam, but still a good idea.

A cam installation tool would be a great idea (that's the handle you asked about, I don't remember the technical term for it). That being said, I have never used one. Of course I'm dumb. :D Seriously though, the reason to use the handle is so you don't screw up the lobes, or more importantly the cam bearings when you are sliding the cam in or out. If you can get one, use it.

I don't remember ever having replaced an oil pickup myself. If it looks good, cleat it up and reuse it.

I've never done valve seals on a 5.0, but since your heads are at the shop, just have the machist do it. He probably won't charge you much since he's already working on them.

Get the right gasket set, I'm sure there are some differences, though I couldn't list them.

Hope that helps.

Jeff
 
#7
Grits said:
Like the title says in doing my first cam install today... with a TFS stage 1..

1. What sorta lube should i use on the jounals? Do i need a handle to attach to the outside of the cam to get the old cam out/new one in? Its going into a shortblock with about 80,000 miles... heads are off and its out of the car. Pistons, rods, crank are all still installed.

2. I ordered a Speed-pro high volume oil pump today, and was wondering if it was neccesary to buy a new pickup? or just clean and reuse the old one...

3. I also got the TFS Valvespring kit, and it came with new valve seals... my heads are at the machine shop right now getting a 3 angle valve job, and cleaned up... Can i install the new valve seals myself? or do i need to have the machine shop do it?

4. Ill be using this gasket set from Fel-pro.... after i ordered it, i relised it said it was for the 1962-1982 5.0... will this gasket set work? or do i need to send it back? the engine im building is a 1999 explorer 302.


Thanks... I apprecaite the help
Click to expand...

Use engine oil on cam journals, Im assuming a roller cam so need for break-in. Just prime the engine prior to starting. As for the pickup, there cheap. Whos puttin on the valvesprings and setting installed height? If you are, just put the valve seals on, there simple, no rocket science there. The gaskets will have a different rear main and a few other small differences, you could use 90% of it.
 
#12
with the roller cam you can just drive it and not worry.

with the refreshed heads and new gaskets on it should run nice.

i wouldnt go out and just romp on it right away. give it a good test drive, make sure there are no leaks. if the car seems to be running good and dandy. dont be afraid to give it some rpms. it wont break....

with a stock oil pan, keep a stock volume pump, a higher volume pump will suck your oil pan dry at high rpms...
 
#13
i have a HV oil pump and it never sucked the pan dry unless it was low on oil. im going back to the stock when soon. the HV oil pumps are for beat to death engines or ones that need alot of oil pumped through it
 
You must log in or register to reply here.

Similar threads

6
Hey all,I’m putting together a 302 for my 1968 Mustang and wanted to post the combo + some questions to make sure I’m not missing crucial
Replies
4
Views
781
1965 - 1973 Classic Mustangs -General/Talk-
gray owl
G
B
water pump installation questions
Replies
38
Views
2K
1979 - 1995 (Fox, SN95.0, & 2.3L) -General/Talk-
General karthief
General karthief
M
2001 v6 heater return pipe leak question
Replies
1
Views
238
SN95 V6 Mustang Tech
mnky99
M
1
Engine Motor swap from a 2003 Explorer
Replies
7
Views
554
SN95 4.6L Mustang Tech
squeak93
squeak93
Creomod
Motor given to me and I’d like to rebuild it what do I need to do
Replies
6
Views
357
1979 - 1995 (Fox, SN95.0, & 2.3L) -General/Talk-
AeroCoupe
AeroCoupe
Top Bottom
Back
Forums
Menu