Pulling out Cams

[FredK]

I did a retainer swap without removing the head. It would be easy to replace the springs, lower spring washers, and valve stem seals at the same time. You can't really get old retainers, the parts had an official supercession in 2/96 or so.

[whowhatwhere]

Why do you need to replace the keepers?

[static]

...and swap out the valve stem seals if you were a glutton for punishment.

an here i am all ready to swap mine. Did you need any special tools to fish them out?

Here is how i took my cams out:
1. lock them with camblocks
2. loosen all cam cap nuts on the lobes that are not under tension (just unscrew the nuts) i think these were lobes 1,3,4 and 5 but i don't remember now
3. now you have two lobes still under tension, i did those 1/2 turn in cross patern, then 1/4 as the thread was coming to an end and had another person to catch the cams so they won't jump at you and drop

the install would be more PITA than remove, i am sure. triggerhappi had a install guide somewhere, search around (two people, one holds/turns wrench, the other tightens the nuts)

another trick: before you take the ledges/trays out, take some alcohol on a piece of cotton and wipe the oil on top of the lifters. Then take a long strip of a masking tape and tape over the tray and make sure the tape holds the lifters well. Then take the trays out very carefully - this will prevent from lifters dropping out

oh, and i wouldn't put an MLS gasket on an NA engine - those are known to leak after awhile since MLS doesn't seal the surface irregularities too well (or for whatever other reason). People make 500whp+ reliably with good tuning on stock gasket and ARP studs. No reason for MLS IMO, unless you're cheap and decrease comp with a gasket.