Engine/Transmission (1998.5 - 2002) Changing a cam

[FUL POWER]

I am going to change out the stock cam out with a F1 cam. I was wondering if anyone could help me out with getting the lifters out. I tryed to lift them out but i fould out that i couldnt. I have heard about the dowl rod method. Could some one explain how to do it or if their is a better was to. I dont want to drop a lifter to the bottom of the oil pan. I could really use some help

 

[Scrappy]

you can't remove them, they are t-shaped on the bottom, all you can do is use the dowels or the cummins tool to hold them away from the cam so you can pull it out. If you want to remove them you have to do so after the cam is out.

 

[jwilliams3]

Do a search in the 24 Valve engine and drivetrain forum.

There are several threads explaining the complete process.

 

[Jetpilot]

I am going to change out the stock cam out with a F1 cam. I was wondering if anyone could help me out with getting the lifters out. I tryed to lift them out but i fould out that i couldnt. I have heard about the dowl rod method. Could some one explain how to do it or if their is a better was to. I dont want to drop a lifter to the bottom of the oil pan. I could really use some help

The lifters do not need to be replaced when you change to a F1 helix cam... . But you will need to hold the lifters up while you replace the cam. Cummins makes a complete kit used to do this or if you just want go and get the dowels, put a small slit in one end and tapper the end as well. then all you have to do is push the doel into the lifter pull it up and wrap rubber bands around the dowel to hold them up.



If you have any questions or problems give me a call.



Doug

717-557-7060

 

[zstroken]

Lets see some pics if anybody has them. Like they said a picture is worth a thousand words.

 

[FUL POWER]

There is a pannel on the left side of the block behind the ecm and the vp44, will that let you get to the lifters. I think that if i put some magnets on the top of the lifters, it will hold the up. What size of dowl rods to you use

 

[Fishin Guide]

Doug is right, the only way to remove the tappets is through the camshaft bore.



The Cummins kit has a tray that is like a tube with a filet missing from the top half and a cap on the back. There are also dowel rods that are a little longer than the length of your pushrods. They are slitted in one end and usually have a sanded taper. I don't recall the exact size, but I want to say they are about 3/8"



The kit also has one long dowel rod with a cuphook in the end. The final piece is a braided sting. (Think surveyors nylon line- not cotton or polyester) and a rubber plug to fit into the end of the tappet.



The dowels must be used to hold all the tappets up in thier bores, so they must be friction fit into the top of the tappet. Whenthey are held up, you place rubber bands to hold the dowels together. The pressure holds the rod and tappet from falling.



If after the cam was out and the tappets were to be removed, they would be droped into the tray in the kit one at a time. I used a little magnet pen to fish them out, but the hook works as well.



The hardest part of the install is reinstalling those tappets. It takes a while and has to be done right. If you drop one, you are fishing or pulling the pan.



My stock tappets looked like new and I questioned why I bothered swapping them at all.



Dave

 

[FUL POWER]

There is a pannel on the left side of the block behind the ecm and the vp44, will that let you get to the lifters.

 

[Partyat33]

You can easily make a kit yourself. However if you drop one, you could be screwed if it falls through. I will have to check but get some 1/2" wooden dowels. Cut them to abou 18". Then round over one end. Remove the push rod and put the dowel in its place. I tapped mine in good and tight. You can then lift the tappet out of the way. Cummins uses rubber bands across two dowels to skew them and hold them up. Crazy but it works.



Dennis



If you want to remove the tappets you can make a trough out of PVC or aluminum.



The cummins kit is over $200.

 

[FUL POWER]

How big of PVC pipe do you need

 

[FUL POWER]

Does the PVC need to be 1. 5 inch. cut into a dish shape

 

[Fishin Guide]

If you use PVC or any tubing, make sure there is a "stop" in the back of it to prevent the tappets from rolling off the back.



Dave

 

[FUL POWER]

What the exact size of dowl rods you need 1/2 or 3/8

 

[Partyat33]

I don't remember the size but they are color codes on the ends. You need the white ones.



PVC should match the bore for the cam, don't forget the stop in the back like Dave said. Like a dish, but not too much over flat will do. Hopefully you won't drop any, which you shouldnt have any problems.

 

[Fishin Guide]

It is important not to cut too much material off the top. So, when you roll the tube over, it will not drop in the bore. This will make it easier to seat the dowels into the tappets.



Dave