Headswap - Feel like I'm in over my head!

[red94fiveo]

Today was day number 2 of my head and cam swap, and I am really starting to feel like I'm in over my head. Today I got the cam degreed, piston to valve clearance checked, timing cover on, balancer on, and the heads are on. I just feel like theres so much stuff that I'm not 100% comfortable with (degreeing cam, checking PTV clearance, rocker geometry, etc.) and if I screw up I could grenade my engine. Sorry for the rant, but I'm think I'm in over my head. I'm just going to go slow and double check everything. Hopefully I should be done after tomorrow. The only other thing I haven't done yet that I'm a little worried about is the rocker geometry, but theres a ton of info on it, so I feel a little more comfortable.

If anyone has any words of wisdon I sure would appreciate them. Thanks.

 

[VibrantRedGT]

I know you want to get this done quickly. My advice is take your time. I check things 3-4 times. I adjusted my rockers 10 times before I put the valve covers on. Sit back drink a beer and if all goes well you will be please because you did it yourself.

 

[randomjoker]

Yeah it always feels good when you do it yourself.




except when you mess up. BUT UR NOT GOING TO!

 

[jwalker]

just take your time. You will make some mior mistakes but that comes with learning. It sounds like you are doing everything right with what you said so far.

You will be happy with the results.

 

[StormTrooper]

remember all the people who are stuffing your parts in the box at the plants who really don't care about what happens after their paycheck. Slow down check everything 2 or 3 time, when you get disgusted walk away. At least that's how I always look at it

 

[red94fiveo]

Thanks for the advice guys. Yeah, I'm definetely going to take my time on this one. Besides, I have plenty of beer in the fridge.

I can defnetely say that I will be saying a little prayer the first time I turn the key.....

 

[1105]

I can defnetely say that I will be saying a little prayer the first time I turn the key.....

I said a prayer too when I first turned the key after my head/cam swap... needless to say it didnt work But it was nothing major, just had to play around with the timing and TPS a little. Good luck with the rest of the install and like they said, if something gets to you, walk away and take a break. Have fun

 

[Joes95GT]

You've checked PTV clearance, so what is the worst that could happen? An exhaust valve gets stuck shut and you push out a headgasket. BFD, just pull her off and do it over again. It's all a learning process. As long as a valve isn't going to clobber a piston, you aren't going to grenade the engine unless you do something very stupid. Sounds like you got everything going good so far, keep going .

Joe

 

[RIO5.0]

As i mentioned in another post, i did an FTI combo last weekend or so....your geometry will be ok....we set the heads on, checked the PV...all was fine, go back and take a look at the cylinder you set-up to check the PV....look at the valve tips, you'll see the impression right there, it may be faint, but it'll show...the one i did was fine...had impressions right in the middle of the valve tip....

you basically bought a "tuner combo" all the numbers will be there....