Holy Sh*T, $750 to get a cam installed, just labor.

Shotgun28 · 01-17-2001, 08:34 AM

Is this right, I have been doing some stuff with this guy and trust his work, installed my gears etc. But is that about right in the price range, how hard is it to install a camshaft? It seems I would serve myself better to have a friend and I install it and get a few more mods instead of paying someone that much to install it, but I am not that strong with messing with my internals, any thoughts or ideas? New bearings, what else would be needed for the installs, new lifters?

------------------
91 LX Convertible Gray on Red B&M Shift improver kit, March underdrive pulley's Richmond 3.73 gears, 1 5/8 Flowtech long tube Headers and off road h-pipe, Flowmaster 2-chamber cat-back with S.S exhaust, MSD 6A Ignition with coil,Cap and rotor, Taylor Pro wires, K&N 12" conical filter system, Jet stage 2 performance chip and Lentech Street Terminator plus on it's way...

evilstang · 01-17-2001, 09:20 AM

Just MY opinion (like always)but I would say no bearings,no lifters, roller lifters hardly ever wear out and unless you want mechanical(requiring pulling the valve covers every 3000mi for adjusting valve lash) they really dont make a lifter thats much better than stock.Also installing cam bearings requires pulling the motor completly gutting the block and having a machine shop press them in(very expensive if you cant do most of the work yourself).Do you have any mechanic friends?This would be your best bet,most of the time I charge $100 to $150(depending on how good of friend)A cam change is simple enough that even a informed mechanic with no training can install it properly.

------------------
IF ITS NOT BLOWN IT SUCKS
8sec 88GT 13sec 91GT

Skankin · 01-17-2001, 09:24 AM

A cheap alternative is the 1.7 cobra roller rockers. $180, and easy to install. It would bring the stock cam up to about:

212/212,115lsa,.480"

evilstang · 01-17-2001, 09:25 AM

Oh,by the way not a definate requirement but you might look into beefer valve springs if you plan on takeing the motor to red line alot.

01-17-2001, 12:55 PM

testing...

[This message has been edited by rbatson (edited 01-17-2001).]

01-17-2001, 01:02 PM

That's just crazy! $100-150 is about right. I had engine installed(sb was already built) and heads and intake matched for $650. That's with a blower on it!

The cam can be installed with the engine in(does he know this??), you just have to remove the radiator. I hear its kinda tight though.

------------------
Rick
My 89lx(updated 11/5/2000)
My 97 Cobra

NO SLO PK · 01-17-2001, 05:10 PM

$750 for labor to swap a cam?

It's a full day's work, in my opinion. So 8 hrs x $65/ hour for shop labor = $520.

Yeah, $750 sounds a little steep for a mechanic, but if the guy's a "Tuner" he could probably justify it.

------------------
'91 LX
Procharger, 3 row intercooler, extrude honed Cobra intake, Mac full Length Headers, 30# inj., 73mm C&L, 75mm tb, E303 cam, 289 rods, ported E7 heads, MSD, T-Rex w/255 lph Walbro, 5 lug conversion, Cobra R wheels, 3.27 gears and Moser Axles.

[This message has been edited by NO SLO PK (edited 01-17-2001).]

Matt83 · 01-17-2001, 06:17 PM

since were on the subject, who can tell me the best way to install the rockers. i just got a pair of windsor jr.s with erson alum. 1.6 stud mount rockers. any help would be appreciated.

7-UP BILL · 01-17-2001, 08:18 PM

When I install rockers, I use the Chilton manual because I can't remember the valve sequence. Once you have the sequence in front of you, it's easy. You tighten down the bolt while spinning the pushrod with your other hand. When it stops, you back off until it starts spinning again. This puts the pre-load on the lifter. Then go on to the next one in sequence. It starts off naturally with #1 intake and exhaust. Take your time and be careful. You don't want to have to take the valve covers off again, especially with EFI.

------------------
1990 7-UP Mustang S-Trim,Edelbrock,GT-40, Isky roller cam,Tremec,Torsen diff 31 splines and a whole bunch more...

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01-17-2001, 08:34 AM	#1
Shotgun28 Registered Member Join Date: Sep 2000 Location: New Hope MN USA Posts: 276	*Holy ShT, $750 to get a cam installed, just labor.** Is this right, I have been doing some stuff with this guy and trust his work, installed my gears etc. But is that about right in the price range, how hard is it to install a camshaft? It seems I would serve myself better to have a friend and I install it and get a few more mods instead of paying someone that much to install it, but I am not that strong with messing with my internals, any thoughts or ideas? New bearings, what else would be needed for the installs, new lifters? ------------------ 91 LX Convertible Gray on Red B&M Shift improver kit, March underdrive pulley's Richmond 3.73 gears, 1 5/8 Flowtech long tube Headers and off road h-pipe, Flowmaster 2-chamber cat-back with S.S exhaust, MSD 6A Ignition with coil,Cap and rotor, Taylor Pro wires, K&N 12" conical filter system, Jet stage 2 performance chip and Lentech Street Terminator plus on it's way...

01-17-2001, 09:20 AM	#2
evilstang Registered Member Join Date: Jan 2001 Location: brisbain,ak,usa Posts: 14	Just MY opinion (like always)but I would say no bearings,no lifters, roller lifters hardly ever wear out and unless you want mechanical(requiring pulling the valve covers every 3000mi for adjusting valve lash) they really dont make a lifter thats much better than stock.Also installing cam bearings requires pulling the motor completly gutting the block and having a machine shop press them in(very expensive if you cant do most of the work yourself).Do you have any mechanic friends?This would be your best bet,most of the time I charge $100 to $150(depending on how good of friend)A cam change is simple enough that even a informed mechanic with no training can install it properly. ------------------ IF ITS NOT BLOWN IT SUCKS 8sec 88GT 13sec 91GT

01-17-2001, 09:24 AM	#3
Skankin Registered Member Join Date: Dec 1998 Location: London, Ontario, Canada Posts: 1,349	A cheap alternative is the 1.7 cobra roller rockers. $180, and easy to install. It would bring the stock cam up to about: 212/212,115lsa,.480"

01-17-2001, 09:25 AM	#4
evilstang Registered Member Join Date: Jan 2001 Location: brisbain,ak,usa Posts: 14	Oh,by the way not a definate requirement but you might look into beefer valve springs if you plan on takeing the motor to red line alot.

01-17-2001, 12:55 PM	#5
rbatson Guest Posts: n/a	testing... [This message has been edited by rbatson (edited 01-17-2001).]

01-17-2001, 01:02 PM	#6
rbatson Guest Posts: n/a	That's just crazy! $100-150 is about right. I had engine installed(sb was already built) and heads and intake matched for $650. That's with a blower on it! The cam can be installed with the engine in(does he know this??), you just have to remove the radiator. I hear its kinda tight though. ------------------ Rick My 89lx(updated 11/5/2000) My 97 Cobra

01-17-2001, 05:10 PM	#7
NO SLO PK Registered Member Join Date: Mar 1999 Location: Arcadia, CA, USA Posts: 731	$750 for labor to swap a cam? It's a full day's work, in my opinion. So 8 hrs x $65/ hour for shop labor = $520. Yeah, $750 sounds a little steep for a mechanic, but if the guy's a "Tuner" he could probably justify it. ------------------ '91 LX Procharger, 3 row intercooler, extrude honed Cobra intake, Mac full Length Headers, 30# inj., 73mm C&L, 75mm tb, E303 cam, 289 rods, ported E7 heads, MSD, T-Rex w/255 lph Walbro, 5 lug conversion, Cobra R wheels, 3.27 gears and Moser Axles. [This message has been edited by NO SLO PK (edited 01-17-2001).]

01-17-2001, 06:17 PM	#8
Matt83 Registered Member Join Date: Apr 1999 Location: Sacto, CA Posts: 111	since were on the subject, who can tell me the best way to install the rockers. i just got a pair of windsor jr.s with erson alum. 1.6 stud mount rockers. any help would be appreciated.

01-17-2001, 08:18 PM	#9
7-UP BILL Registered Member Join Date: Aug 2000 Location: Burlington, NJ USA Posts: 21	When I install rockers, I use the Chilton manual because I can't remember the valve sequence. Once you have the sequence in front of you, it's easy. You tighten down the bolt while spinning the pushrod with your other hand. When it stops, you back off until it starts spinning again. This puts the pre-load on the lifter. Then go on to the next one in sequence. It starts off naturally with #1 intake and exhaust. Take your time and be careful. You don't want to have to take the valve covers off again, especially with EFI. ------------------ 1990 7-UP Mustang S-Trim,Edelbrock,GT-40, Isky roller cam,Tremec,Torsen diff 31 splines and a whole bunch more...