• Mustang Forums
  • 1979 - 1995 (Fox, SN95.0, & 2.3L) -General/Talk-

Has anyone used the tool to hold lifters up for cam change?

  • Thread starter Thread starter Mstng93SSP
  • Start date Start date Nov 20, 2019
  • 1
  • 2
Next
1 of 2 Next Last

Mstng93SSP

You have a nice rear end there Dave.
15 Year Member
Nov 29, 1999
2,993
3,500
184
Mililani, Hawaii
Nov 20, 2019
#1
  • Nov 20, 2019
  • #1
I'm about to do another cam swap. I have done many, but this time I am going to try the tool that holds the lifters up so you don't have to pull the lower intake. Has anyone done it with this tool? (Basically magnetic rods). Any tips?

Chris
 

TOOLOW91

If you're the village idiot what's that make me?
20+ Year Stangneter
Nov 29, 1999
8,491
8,734
234
S.I.NY
Nov 20, 2019
#2
  • Nov 20, 2019
  • #2
Mstng93SSP said:
I'm about to do another cam swap. I have done many, but this time I am going to try the tool that holds the lifters up so you don't have to pull the lower intake. Has anyone done it with this tool? (Basically magnetic rods). Any tips?

Chris
Click to expand...
Maybe I’m missing something but If you have the stock tray and dog bones how will the lifter come up out of the bore with them in place ?
 

2000xp8

SN Certified Technician
Aug 8, 2003
8,037
1,625
194
NJ
Nov 20, 2019
#3
  • Nov 20, 2019
  • #3
I believe the tool just allows all the lifters to be in the up position.
I had asked my buddy about it years ago, he told me it slowed him down.
Mind you, I am speaking of a guy that would pull heads at the race track, so i'm not completely sure it translates to home mechanics.
 

Steel1

Mustang Master
Aug 18, 2017
1,419
639
143
Connecticut
Nov 20, 2019
#4
  • Nov 20, 2019
  • #4
That would be interesting, I've heard of it but never seen one in use.
Post pics if you use it.
 

Mstng93SSP

You have a nice rear end there Dave.
15 Year Member
Nov 29, 1999
2,993
3,500
184
Mililani, Hawaii
Nov 20, 2019
#5
  • Nov 20, 2019
  • #5
I will.
 

revhead347

Apparently my ex-husband made that mistake.
20+ Year Stangneter
Jun 14, 2004
9,302
1,645
214
Acworth, GA
Nov 20, 2019
#6
  • Nov 20, 2019
  • #6
I generally just take them out.

Kurt
 

Mstng93SSP

You have a nice rear end there Dave.
15 Year Member
Nov 29, 1999
2,993
3,500
184
Mililani, Hawaii
Nov 20, 2019
#7
  • Nov 20, 2019
  • #7
Me too, but with these magnetic rods apparently I will not have to pull the lower intake which is why it is appealing to me. Done it 10 or 20 times the conventional way, just wanted to try it this way and see how it goes.

Chris
 
Reactions: General karthief

90sickfox

Wasn't a pretty sight...and I've got big hands
SN Certified Technician
Mar 2, 2015
6,945
5,816
213
Nov 20, 2019
#8
  • Nov 20, 2019
  • #8
This interests me too. I didn't think the lifters would go high enough to clear the bearing journals without removing the guides and spider brace. Could be wrong 'cause I've never checked that. If that tool works it will simplify my life a whole lot.
 

2000xp8

SN Certified Technician
Aug 8, 2003
8,037
1,625
194
NJ
Nov 20, 2019
#9
  • Nov 20, 2019
  • #9
They sell them at lmr, has 2 reviews.
 

Mstng93SSP

You have a nice rear end there Dave.
15 Year Member
Nov 29, 1999
2,993
3,500
184
Mililani, Hawaii
Nov 20, 2019
#10
  • Nov 20, 2019
  • #10
This shows it in use https://www.fordmuscle.com/archives/2002/07/camswap/

I ordered the one from LMR
 

FastDriver

I was uncomfortably high & wearing a helmet
SN Certified Technician
Sep 5, 2001
6,109
2,726
224
Vass, NC
Nov 21, 2019
#11
  • Nov 21, 2019
  • #11
My imagination flashes to dropping a lifter with the cam out. Nevertheless, subscribed... if it's straightforward and safe, I want 'em.
 

Mstng93SSP

You have a nice rear end there Dave.
15 Year Member
Nov 29, 1999
2,993
3,500
184
Mililani, Hawaii
Nov 21, 2019
#12
  • Nov 21, 2019
  • #12
Great......now dropping the lifter is all I can think about......

I'm trying to think this through. If a lifter does drop, will it go into the oil pan? Would I be able to get it out with a long magnet through the front with the timing cover off?
 
Last edited: Nov 21, 2019
Reactions: FastDriver

Steel1

Mustang Master
Aug 18, 2017
1,419
639
143
Connecticut
Nov 21, 2019
#13
  • Nov 21, 2019
  • #13
Mstng93SSP said:
This shows it in use https://www.fordmuscle.com/archives/2002/07/camswap/

I ordered the one from LMR
Click to expand...
Just skimmed through the link , looks like it's even a bigger benefit to someone running link bars (me).
Never really thought about it but you can't pull link bar style lifters out without removing the heads,
in that case this makes a ton of sense.

*Edit*
Never mind, in my case with a 351w base strokers taller deck height they could be removed w/heads on
but for 302w and link bars it would save having to remove heads.
I think anyways....too early need more coffee !!!
 
Last edited: Nov 21, 2019

TOOLOW91

If you're the village idiot what's that make me?
20+ Year Stangneter
Nov 29, 1999
8,491
8,734
234
S.I.NY
Nov 21, 2019
#14
  • Nov 21, 2019
  • #14
90sickfox said:
This interests me too. I didn't think the lifters would go high enough to clear the bearing journals without removing the guides and spider brace. Could be wrong 'cause I've never checked that. If that tool works it will simplify my life a whole lot.
Click to expand...
I mentioned that too .
 

TOOLOW91

If you're the village idiot what's that make me?
20+ Year Stangneter
Nov 29, 1999
8,491
8,734
234
S.I.NY
Nov 21, 2019
#15
  • Nov 21, 2019
  • #15
Steel1 said:
Just skimmed through the link , looks like it's even a bigger benefit to someone running link bars (me).
Never really thought about it but you can't pull link bar style lifters out without removing the heads,
in that case this makes a ton of sense.

*Edit*
Never mind, in my case with a 351w base strokers taller deck height they could be removed w/heads on
but for 302w and link bars it would save having to remove heads.
I think anyways....too early need more coffee !!!
Click to expand...
In this case absolutely . I can attest to this.
 

FastDriver

I was uncomfortably high & wearing a helmet
SN Certified Technician
Sep 5, 2001
6,109
2,726
224
Vass, NC
Nov 21, 2019
#16
  • Nov 21, 2019
  • #16
Yeah, if the motor's in the car, then I assume you'd have to pull the pan. If the motor is on an engine stand, then I would spin the motor so that gravity is working to keep the lifter in its bore, in addition to having the magnets. Then, you can just grab it again, if necessary. Just thinking out loud here. Never done it, obviously.
 

revhead347

Apparently my ex-husband made that mistake.
20+ Year Stangneter
Jun 14, 2004
9,302
1,645
214
Acworth, GA
Nov 21, 2019
#17
  • Nov 21, 2019
  • #17
90sickfox said:
This interests me too. I didn't think the lifters would go high enough to clear the bearing journals without removing the guides and spider brace. Could be wrong 'cause I've never checked that. If that tool works it will simplify my life a whole lot.
Click to expand...

That is a very good point. However, I will say this, the cam lobes on my Trick Flow 3 stuck out farther than the cam journals. So the guides allowed the lifter to come up higher than the journal. I imagine it would work based on this.

Kurt
 
Reactions: 90sickfox

Mstng93SSP

You have a nice rear end there Dave.
15 Year Member
Nov 29, 1999
2,993
3,500
184
Mililani, Hawaii
Nov 22, 2019
#18
  • Nov 22, 2019
  • #18
I have a spare engine on an engine stand. I am going to pull the intake, a valve cover and pushrod and take a look at how the tool works, how far I can raise a lifter etc. I will measure the rod when the lifter is up and mark all the remaining rods the same so I know how far to lift up the lifters. THEN I will do it on the engine in my car that I am swapping cams on. I feel better doing it this way. The engine on the stand is just a spare complete stock 93 5.0 engine. I will take pictures/video of the process.
 
Reactions: FastDriver

Mstng93SSP

You have a nice rear end there Dave.
15 Year Member
Nov 29, 1999
2,993
3,500
184
Mililani, Hawaii
Nov 22, 2019
#19
  • Nov 22, 2019
  • #19
Testing on engine on stand

View: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oa52YjQCSks
 

Mstng93SSP

You have a nice rear end there Dave.
15 Year Member
Nov 29, 1999
2,993
3,500
184
Mililani, Hawaii
Nov 22, 2019
#20
  • Nov 22, 2019
  • #20
Tool installed on engine in the car

View: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1OG0EsKxCRU
 
  • 1
  • 2
Next
1 of 2 Next Last
You must log in or register to reply here.

Similar threads

H
Ongoing Battle With Hydraulic Lifters
  • hailer06
  • Jun 8, 2026
  • 1979 - 1995 (Fox, SN95.0, & 2.3L) -General/Talk-
Replies
7
Views
317
1979 - 1995 (Fox, SN95.0, & 2.3L) -General/Talk- Jun 9, 2026
Noobz347
J
MEED HELP!! 86 mustang
  • Jacob0121
  • Jan 23, 2026
  • 1979 - 1995 (Fox, SN95.0, & 2.3L) -General/Talk-
Replies
6
Views
352
1979 - 1995 (Fox, SN95.0, & 2.3L) -General/Talk- Apr 25, 2026
CAMTWO1070
B
Where to go from here on my build…
  • B0udreaux
  • Jul 14, 2026
  • 1979 - 1995 (Fox, SN95.0, & 2.3L) -General/Talk-
Replies
8
Views
222
1979 - 1995 (Fox, SN95.0, & 2.3L) -General/Talk- Jul 18, 2026
AeroCoupe
Anyone used a Onegauge?
  • revhead347
  • Sep 2, 2025
  • 1979 - 1995 (Fox, SN95.0, & 2.3L) -General/Talk-
Replies
1
Views
195
1979 - 1995 (Fox, SN95.0, & 2.3L) -General/Talk- Sep 3, 2025
revhead347
S
Timing chain, guides and tensioner installation (Possible orientation in Intake Stroke)
  • StallionMax
  • Sep 21, 2025
  • SN95 4.6L Mustang Tech
Replies
2
Views
401
SN95 4.6L Mustang Tech Sep 24, 2025
StallionMax
S
Share:
Bluesky Email Share Link
  • Mustang Forums
  • 1979 - 1995 (Fox, SN95.0, & 2.3L) -General/Talk-
Menu
Log in

Register

  • Forums
  • What's new
  • Media
  • Resources
  • Contact
  • Sponsor
X

Privacy & Transparency

We use cookies and similar technologies for the following purposes:

  • Personalized ads and content
  • Content measurement and audience insights

Do you accept cookies and these technologies?

X

Privacy & Transparency

We use cookies and similar technologies for the following purposes:

  • Personalized ads and content
  • Content measurement and audience insights

Do you accept cookies and these technologies?