Semopar Forum

**Redtruck-VA** · 05-01-2011, 04:46 PM

Jason, thanks for looking, I'm going to hit a couple engine shops tomorrow and if I can't find any I'll order some.

ORT · 05-01-2011, 04:49 PM

I'll keep looking bc I know they are around somewhere. I thought for sure they were in my cam install box but no luck.

**Redtruck-VA** · 05-01-2011, 04:54 PM

Thanks brother...

**Redtruck-VA** · 05-11-2011, 05:44 PM

Well I got the spare locks from Henson and started pulling the front of the engine apart. Actually once the radiator is out there is room to stand in the engine bay to work on the heads. used the loan tools from Advance, it's $100 but I still had to make a spacer to get the balancer off. Got the ignition system off and valve covers. It is simple enough to work on. I broke the seal on the AC compressor, I didn't realize there is a bolt behind the compressor holding it to the head along with the bigger bolts that look to me to be actually the hardware holding the compressor in place. It was just carelessness on my part and a lack of experience working on this engine. Got the springs changed with the exception of the rear exhaust spring on the driver side. Actually there is plenty of room to work but you can't see to align the stem with the retainer when reassembling it. Had a failure with my air compressor (blown hose) and lost air on the cylinder resulting with the valve slightly dropping. No big deal but in the process the spring retainer fell and I can't find it. So I'm stuck until I can locate a replacement. I have spare locks, but didn't get any retainers. Who would have thought you could lose a retainer. used brass fittings to pressurize the cylinders. Screwed it together just using my hands. Screwed it into the spark plug hole and it worked as it was suppose to, unfortunately when I removed it the piece that actually screwed into the head stayed threaded in. That hole is deep and I tried several things trying to get it unthreaded and out but nothing wanted to work. After about three hours working on it I finally drove a harden steel rod That I ground a tapered end on it. And unscrewed it and pulled it out. Pulled the cool little rubber "o" ring off of it and tightened that sucker gorilla tight in a vise and wrench. Didn't have any more issues with it. Anyway all little stupid stuff. I'll try to find a retainer in the morning and hopefully install the cam tomorrow.

**Redtruck-VA** · 05-12-2011, 02:57 PM

Called around for the retainer, no ones carry any parts. the dealer can get it to me tomorrow which as quick as anything every happens here in the country. Strangely enough the retainer is $.75 and the split keepers are $3.25 ea. Dropped the pan, I wanted to see the bottom spocket. Put that back together. You don't need to drop the pan to just change the cam. Changed the cam and installed the the passenger side rockers. Started putting the front of the motor back together, man there is a lot of different size bolts that hold that mess together. Got that back together. All is good.

**Silverbullet08** · 05-12-2011, 03:01 PM

ahh this brings back memories...

**Redtruck-VA** · 05-12-2011, 05:44 PM

Nick, I am sure it does. I may fire it up tomorrow, but it could take me another day or two to finish up.

**Silverbullet08** · 05-12-2011, 06:21 PM

dont rush it make sure all the stuff is lined up right and good to go

**Redtruck-VA** · 05-12-2011, 06:58 PM

The 5.7 motor is easy to work on. We are very fortunate that the lifters retract by only spinning the cam. Other engines require the actual removal of the lifters to install a cam. If it wasn't for the brake booster life would be perfect. I'm still pissed that I dropped the retainer. This morning the first thing I did was to remove the left front tire and inner fender liner and looked high and low. Well, I ordered two, so I'll keep a spare on my key chain just to remind me what a clutz I am. lol

**OklaHemi** · 05-13-2011, 01:56 AM

Man I am anxious for a video, great work greg