3V Cam install?

[abdullaGT]

Does anyone know anyone that can do a cam swap on a 3v? I'm thinking about ordering a set that do not require valve springs to be changed. Can anyone on here do it?

[TheKurgan]

I've done 3 cam installs...all FRPP cams. It's back breaking/tedious work. I would be glad to answer any questions you might have.

TheKurgan@att.net

[TheKurgan]

This video is a great place to start...

http://www.fordtechservice.dealerconnection.com/vdirs/hotline/prevepisodes.asp

The cam install video is about half way down. The link says 5.4liter camshaft tool.

[abdullaGT]

Thanks man, that video is a great guide.
I don't think I'll be doing it myself though. How long did it take you to do it?

[Weapon]

I haven't tried swapping out my cams yet...probably because the step-by-step guide from FRPP for the hot rod cams is 41 pages long. I haven't convinced myself that I can knock that out in a weekend and have my car ready to roll on Monday morning. The install guide also mentions several required special tools but based on a number of different forum posts there are several work arounds for the required special tools.

[TheKurgan]

Even after doing 3 installs, I would set aside an entire day to do it. Regarding the "work arounds" for the special tools...I'd advise against that heavily.

I tried not using the spring compressor and just getting by with the wedge and one of my cam towers lifted. I had to go back in and torque it down....got very lucky not doing any damage.

The other 2 installs I have used the spring compressor and those cars have not had any issues. I've actually pulled my own cam out since then to check the lifters and used the spring compressor in that scenario too. No issues when done the proper way.

I stay abreast of alot of forums on the internet and about 90% of the people I see taking shortcuts, they have issues.

[abdullaGT]

So do you need a spring compressor even when you're not replacing the springs?

[TheKurgan]

So do you need a spring compressor even when you're not replacing the springs?

Yes, because you have to remove 3 followers on each head before you take the cam out. This takes the pressure off the cam. That requires compressing the spring.

Likewise when you reinstall the cam, torque it down, then replace the followers which again, requires compressing the spring. This is the most tedious part of the install.

[QUARTER MILE MUSTANG]

Uninstalling/Installing all the cam followers before/after you do the cams is a time consuming chore. The special spring compressor to do it isnt fun to operate either. Are you going to put limiters in the phasers? If you want i have some band new livernoise limiters you can have for free to use. I'm getting rid of the phasers on my 3v that i never used. Be sure to get you new phaser bolts. Keep us upated on you build. Sounds like its gonna be a fun street brawler when its done. You really should remove all the followers because even if you remove al the followers that have open spring pressures on them you still have a .030 preload on all the lash adjusters which is still going to put some pressure on the cam in an uneven pattern which is going to mess with your torque reading. it woldnt be a big deal if the cam caps torqued down to ft/lbs but they torque to in/lbs and therefor are much easier to interfere with the torque reading from any opposing pressures.