Cam removal, wow..

[91foxbod50]

So i took the cam out of my car today to replace it with a e 303. Let me first start off by saying this was my first time doing a cam while the motor was still in the car. So.... I pulled the radiator ( made a mess ) and yanked the intake off valve covers etc etc then moved to the water pump. Soo im trying to slide the cam out and WHAM! slipped and fell on my ash.. So now i got antifreeze in my butt crack and im trying to get this cam out. I keep fighting and fighting and WHAM! the hood prop pops off and i get knocked in the head!! So now im mad! i start prying with all my might to get this friggen cam out.....

I look up and noticed i didnt take the rods out or loosen the retaining bolt that holds the clamp for the cam....

Well all is well now. the e 303 is in and ill be buttoning everything back up tomorrow. im just waiting on my rockers to come in so i can swap the heads.

 

[Jaswir]

ouch... ive had those days before! Mostly bloody nuckles etc...

 

[Cobra912]

yikes. At least tell me you re-installed the johnson rod!

 

[NIKwoaC]

Work smart, not hard. If you ever have to muscle something on the car, you're not doing it right.

 

[92GreenGT]

Sounds like you should of let someone else do the work, lol.

 

[Shaolin Crane]

Work smart, not hard. If you ever have to muscle something on the car, you're not doing it right.

But its more fun this way

 

[TwoToneHatch]

Wow sounds like a rough time. But sometimes you just gotta learn the hard way.

 

[SVT32VDOHC]

Thing I hate the most on stangs is installing uppers and lowers and fighting with the rear end and arms to line up in the holes. Seems straight forward, but them arms just don't flex a millimeter when you need to move them around. That IMO is the biggest PITA on a Mustang.

 

[Blu50Stang]

Sounds like you had a helluva time But, I bet you won't forget any steps next time

Don't be fooled, we've all had our moments. Just like NikwoaC said, if you ever have to muscle something on these cars (or any other car), that's when it's time to stop, take a breather, and re-evaluate the situation.

 

[Kevins89notch5.0]

Well, chalk it up to a learning experience I guess.

 

[Bullitt95]

Well all is well now.

...and you have the battle scars to show for it. Good luck with the rest of the rebuild.

 

[NIKwoaC]

Thing I hate the most on stangs is installing uppers and lowers and fighting with the rear end and arms to line up in the holes. Seems straight forward, but them arms just don't flex a millimeter when you need to move them around. That IMO is the biggest PITA on a Mustang.

When I did mine, I used the ratcheting strap method, swapping one arm at a time. Wasn't so bad, but it IS a workout doing it on jack stands and laying under the car.

 

[Shaolin Crane]

When I did mine, I used the ratcheting strap method, swapping one arm at a time. Wasn't so bad, but it IS a workout doing it on jack stands and laying under the car.

Hmmm, all my **** lined right up

 

[Cobra912]

mine were a pain, tightened up the torque box reinforcement kit a wee bit too much

 

[Repostyle]

I've never done a cam swap with the motor still in the car. I'm debating doing this with my lx vert. Did you have to pull the front bumper off?