SBB Camshaft Swap

Hi All,

Craigslist. Good and bad. Good: SBB TA-284-88H cam, TA 1436 dual springs, TA 1405 lifters, TA 1523 Double Roller timing chain set - $200.

Bad: Putting them in my perfectly fine running stock (probably original) '69 Skylark 350-2. Don't worry, the 4bbl intake is going on at the same time. Still a (relatively) low compression engine.

Ok, so maybe that's not so bad. Here's the issue I'm running into: The Cam Won't Come Out!

Intake is off
Rocker Arms are off
Pushrods are out (kept in order, though)
Lifters are out.
Timing cover is off
Timing chain and gears are off
Fuel pump eccentric is off
Camshaft moves about a 1/2" and makes a hollow clanky-clank sound. As I rotate it and pull it makes a hollow grinding/rubbing sound.

Any suggestions?

On a separate note...do I HAVE to install a piston stop to remove/replace the valve springs for each cylinder? How far down will the valves drop if I don't? (Could I fish them back up with a magnet?) #8 looks like a LOT of fun...the '69 is an A/C car...and the evaporator box is right there...next to no clearance, Clarence. Y'all peeps have helped me out in the past, peeps, don't fail me now!

Nathan

'69 Skylark Custom 4DHT (It's a two door...per side!)
350-2 (4bbl conversion in process)
P/S, P/B (disc/drum), A/C, power antenna (seized, makes getting the car cover on it a JOY)

 

Great deal on the parts I just bought the same setup for much more.

I think this might help for the stuck cam.

http://www.v8buick.com/showthread.php?224557-Cam-stuck!-Suggestions

I don't know enough about it but I've seen the issue talked about a few times and I think rotating the crank usually does it.

 

If the intake is off look down holes see if anything is wrong. Did I'd drop when it came out ? Might just need to put long bolt in front of shaft so you can lift up as you pull. Don't want to damage can bearings. As far as the 284 cam in a lower compression engine . yuk. Really should bump it up some.also 1405 lifters are 70 and up you should be using 1406 lifters.

 

Rotate your crank BY HAND VERY SLOWLY JUST A BIT, the cam lobes are hitting one of the rods:Brow:

 

Like the others are saying, order new liftters for your 68-69 oiling system....

Also as others are saying the 284 cam with low compression will be very soggy in the low RPM. You should have 9:1 from factory and that cam wants about 9.5:1 or more. I would mill 60 thou off the heads and order shorter pushrods to match while I was at it.

 

I thought it was better to convert to the newer oiling system?

 

If he changes the rockers and the push rods,I think his push rods are solid on that year engine and the oil to the upper end flows through the deck to oil the rockers.



Derek

 

You would have to pull heads and plug oil passage at block to change oiling system then get 70 and up lifters ,pushrod, and rockers.

 

yep - 68-69 solid pushrods , oils through head , dif lifters needed ( and not just dif oiling - dif size ) . 70+ hollow pushrods , oils through pushrods .
holding valves in place - i remember seeing ( reading about ? ) a guy removing plug , feeding in cloths line , rotating piston up , valve work , rotating piston down , removing line - done . sounds pretty common sensical - i'd try that .

 

Feeding the rope in to take the spring out does work I have done it. Put piston at TDC or close, feed rope in and move piston rest of way up.