How to Install a Cam in an LS1

Installing the cam on your LS1 can seem like a challenge at first, but it doesnt have to be. The biggest obstacle lies in knowing the order in which to remove parts when uninstalling the old cam and reversing that to install the new one. You'll likely encounter a certain degree of manual labor in this process. Armed with the correct steps and an assistant, you can install a cam in your LS1 over the course of a weekend.

Instructions

Cam Removal

1

Lock the engine down to avoid spinning. You can do so with a flywheel lock or by wedging in a screwdriver.

2

Remove the crankshaft pulley bolt with a pry bar.

3

Install a three-arm pulley puller. Once installed, keep the arms on the pulley puller extended and aligned. Tighten the bolt on the puller and crank it until the pulley comes loose or hits the crank bolt head.

4

Unbolt the timing cover by removing all bolts. Set aside.

5

Unbolt the three cam bolts and remove the gear. It is fine to let the chain droop down into the oil pan. Thread a few of the bolts back into the end of the cam to serve as handles to grab onto in a later step.

6

Unbolt the four 10mm bolts holding the cam retainer plate located behind the gear. Remove these.

7

Make sure the cam is now free to remove. Check that all bolts have been removed and that the radiator is also out of the car. The AC condenser should be able to move freely at this point as well.

8

Grip the bolts you have rethreaded and begin to pull the cam out. Be very gentle during this process. You will need to turn the cam and keep it level during removal.

9

Have a friend assist with removal when the cam is approximately 75 percent out of the car. The friend can be useful by moving the AC condenser upward to allow more room for the cam to slide out.

10

Completely remove the old cam and set aside.

Installation of New Cam

11

Coat the new cam entirely with fresh motor oil. Move the bolts you used to lift out the old cam into the new cam to serve as grips for installation of the new cam.

12

Reverse the above steps to install the new cam. Be sure to replace all bolts and tighten.

13

Thread the old crankshaft bolt back into the crank. You will need to turn the crankshaft until the small black dot is visibly pointing upward.

14

Move the cam gear until the dot is on the bottom and hold it up to the front of the cam.

15

Slide in the alignment dowel and spin the camshaft until the dowel is in line to line up the dots.

16

Replace the timing chain on the crank gear, and then place it on the cam gear while keeping tension on the chain.

17

Move the cam gear to seat on the front of the cam. You may need to thread a cam bolt through the gear in the cam to help you line up all the dots. It is extremely important that all of the dots line up exactly.

18

Bolt the cam gear into the cam with the three old 10mm bolts and tighten.

19

Replace the timing cover. Keep the bolts loose on the timing cover until a later step.

20

Replace the pulley onto the crankshaft. Once the pulley is installed, tighten down the timing cover properly.

21

Double check your work. Make sure all bolts are tightened.