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LDRollow · Posted: Fri Oct 14, 2011 9:01 am Post subject: Cam swap tech tip

I am in the process of changing the cam in my '57. My car has A/C and I did not want to evacuate the system. Since my car has the old school hoses that go over the core support, I was able to flex the hoses and move the condenser enough to get the cam out without having to discharge the system, (I did remove the radiator).

As you know, unless you have one of those two piece timing covers you must drop the oil pan to get the timing cover off. And to get the pan completely off, you must drop the steering linkage. The last time I had the pan off, I opted for one of the Felpro one piece pan gaskets. To get the pan down, I loosened the two 5/16 rear pan bolts but did not take them completely off. I then removed all the rest of the pan bolts but before I took the forward two 5/16 bolts off, I installed one quarter inch bolt, about an inch and a half long, on each side just behind the front 5/16 bolts. Then I removed the the two 5/16 bolts off and that allowed the pan to drop just enough, (and rest on the two longer quarter inch bolts), to get the timing cover off and still not have to take the steering linkage down. I also installed a couple more long quarter inch bolts in several of the pan bolt holes on each side to keep the gasket in place while the pan is hanging down.

Actually it turns out that I probably didn't need the extra bolts along the side as the gasket is staying in place quite nicely. I'm of the opinion that this would be difficult to do with the multiple piece pan gaskets. I have yet to put the new cam in, but I see no problems in simply reversing the procedure to button it all up.

wheezer · Posted: Fri Oct 14, 2011 7:36 pm Post subject:

Larry, are you installing a new one piece pan gasket this go-round? It's not a fun job dropping the oil pan. Good luck sir.
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"A Classic Car is Not Aerodynamic"

LDRollow · Posted: Sat Oct 15, 2011 1:18 pm Post subject:

Tom: I had replaced the pan gasket several years ago and as you know it is reusable. I love them and would not build an engine without one. Good luck tomorrow at the races.
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My garage:
1957 Chevy
1951 Studebaker

wheezer · Posted: Sat Oct 15, 2011 8:20 pm Post subject:

Actually I did not know (or don't remember) the one-piece gasket was reusable. That's why I was fishing about the gasket condition.
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"A Classic Car is Not Aerodynamic"