Whats involved in a cam swap
02-11-2004, 07:55 AM
#3
The Evil Twin
Join Date: Mar 2001
Location: Seattle, WA
Posts: 9,294
WHAT!?! No, that is bad info. You always replace every rocker arm with a new cam or you'll ruin your new cam!
Each cam and rocker, although they appear smooth has a certain wear pattern. That pattern on the rocker will eat up a brand new cam lobe and shorten its life. You always buy new rockers.
The real answer is to buy Nissan or Japan made rockers, not USA, Taiwain, and especially not Crane Cam's rockers. Motorsports may tell you they have OEM replacements, but they are not. Buy the cam alone, and then go to http://www.importedcarparts.com and buy their "Japan Made" rockers for about $12 apc. VERY good price compared to Nissan. These rockers come from Japan and have a Nissan part number on them... hmmm...
If its not time to replace your timing chain, then you need to make a chain block and block the timing chain according to the instructions in the Chilton manual for Z's. Remove the upper cam sprocket, then loosen all the rockers and slide out the cam. Put everything back in new. Its not hard at all. I did mine with the engine out though.
However, I would recomend taking off the front cover and replacing the timing chain. Also, you'll remove and replace your oil pan gasket. You'll basically have all new gaskets in the entire engine, except for the head gasket itself. Should be no oil leaks! (oh, and the rear main seal won't be new)
Each cam and rocker, although they appear smooth has a certain wear pattern. That pattern on the rocker will eat up a brand new cam lobe and shorten its life. You always buy new rockers.
The real answer is to buy Nissan or Japan made rockers, not USA, Taiwain, and especially not Crane Cam's rockers. Motorsports may tell you they have OEM replacements, but they are not. Buy the cam alone, and then go to http://www.importedcarparts.com and buy their "Japan Made" rockers for about $12 apc. VERY good price compared to Nissan. These rockers come from Japan and have a Nissan part number on them... hmmm...
If its not time to replace your timing chain, then you need to make a chain block and block the timing chain according to the instructions in the Chilton manual for Z's. Remove the upper cam sprocket, then loosen all the rockers and slide out the cam. Put everything back in new. Its not hard at all. I did mine with the engine out though.
However, I would recomend taking off the front cover and replacing the timing chain. Also, you'll remove and replace your oil pan gasket. You'll basically have all new gaskets in the entire engine, except for the head gasket itself. Should be no oil leaks! (oh, and the rear main seal won't be new)
Last edited by Bleach; 02-11-2004 at 07:57 AM.
02-12-2004, 10:31 AM
#4
Registered User
Join Date: Apr 2002
Location: Waukesha, WI
Posts: 236
My guy who builds L-series race motors always uses used rocker arms, and NEVER has any problems. Sometimes I wonder if the whole rocker arm theory came from the V-8 guys, and it might be true for them.
Yeah, I got bit by the Crane rockers. Total crap!!! And I did replace them with used factory rocker. Put 25k miles on since without any problems.
Depending on the cam size (if it's relatively mild), you can get away with stock springs.
Yeah, I got bit by the Crane rockers. Total crap!!! And I did replace them with used factory rocker. Put 25k miles on since without any problems.
Depending on the cam size (if it's relatively mild), you can get away with stock springs.
02-14-2004, 05:20 PM
#5
Guest
Posts: n/a
Ok heres my list:
Camshaft @ MSA
Rocker Arms @ above website
Lash pads @ MSA
Valve Springs @ MSA
Block off plate @ MSA
Cam oiler????
MSA sells a timing chain kit: gears, guides, tensioner and gaskets for $97, is that all worth it?
Also, this may be a stupid question but is there any possible way to swap the cam without the timing being messed up? I dont have a timing gun is the reason.
Camshaft @ MSA
Rocker Arms @ above website
Lash pads @ MSA
Valve Springs @ MSA
Block off plate @ MSA
Cam oiler????
MSA sells a timing chain kit: gears, guides, tensioner and gaskets for $97, is that all worth it?
Also, this may be a stupid question but is there any possible way to swap the cam without the timing being messed up? I dont have a timing gun is the reason.
02-14-2004, 09:17 PM
#6
Registered User
Join Date: Apr 2002
Location: Waukesha, WI
Posts: 236
Also, this may be a stupid question but is there any possible way to swap the cam without the timing being messed up? I dont have a timing gun is the reason.
You'll have to abandon the cam oiler bar, which I was never too much in favor of.
I seem to remember looking around for timing sets and MSA's prices where pretty good. Depending on the miles, it's worth it.
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