should i do heads/cam/exhaust myself?

[BlackVert]

now that i am going back to n/a, if i determine i need to replace the head gasgets, i might as well bite the bullet and do new heads, cam, and long tubes while the heads are off.

so .............

how much more involved is installing heads and a cam? i'm thinking it is alot more involved. should i leave something like this to my mechanic, or do you think i should be able handle it myself?

mind you, the farthest i have ever gone into my engine is replacing the lower intake, which i did when i installed my kenne-bell by myself last fall. i think that went fairly well, and i feel like i could do it again with no problems.

i am particularly worried about things like not knowing how to tell if the pushrods are the right length, not knowing if the rockers are adjusted correctly, not knowing how to tell if the cam is in sync with the cylinders, etc ...

remember the troubles guero had when he did his by himself? i was extremely impressed that he did it himself, but i don't want to go through the trials and tribulations he went through ...

 

[mootang]

do it yourself! well worth it. just set aside a weekend and maybe a little more! when i did my heads it took me almost three days but that was because i needed to find a special tool. if you have all the right tools you should be able to do it in a weekend your first time. someone on here has a really good and long write up on the install. do a search and see if you can find it.

 

[Danman765432]

i helped my brother do his heads and cam on his car and the main thing you need to do is just take your time and check over everything and having the right tools would help.

 

[95strokerPSU]

If I decide next winter to get some head work done and a custom cam, then I'm gonna try and tackle the removal and install myself. But if I run into any problems, the guy who built up my long built is local and a pretty good guy, so I'm sure I could get him to swing by and help me out.

I say give it a shot. Worst case you have to call up a flat bed.

 

[blksn955.o]

you should be able to do it without too much issue.

As far as the PR length, if your on a stock un-decked block, just use what the head maker sug. for length...IIRC most aftermarket alum. heads use a .100 longer PR.

the cam install is not hard at all. The dowl pin only goes into the cam timing gear one way and the same with the crank (even if you do have a mutli adj. crank gear its preaty hard to FUBAR) with the "dot" lined up on both gears your "straight up". IF you want to be super duper sure buy a mag base and dial (50-ish$) and at that point check with a cam card and degree wheel.

Heads are basicly the same as installing a lower intake, just make sure you put some thread sealer on the lower bolts (closest to the exh.) to keep the coolant out of them.

The biggest thing is be SUPER clean, get the surfaces SUPER clean and take your time.

For assem. lube buddies and I have had GREAT results from STP engine treatment. Just goop that stuff on the cam lobes and on the lifters its great sticky fun.