Some novice questions...

[Bones68charger]

I am a really novice mechanic so any help would be greatly appreciated. I have a 318 and this summer I planed on rebuilding the engine, but now I am buying a house so I am going to have to put it on hold for a year... My questions is I have a cam shaft. Do I have to pull the engine to put it in, or can I just remove the radiator. Does it go in from the front or from the back? I am going to have to get help doing it anyway, but I wanted to be prepared for it. I am also going to put new heads, headers and dual exhaust.  It will have to do for this year. I wish I could do both, but I can't.

Thanks in advance.

[metallicareload99]

I have been told that it is possible to put in a new cam while the engine is in the car if you remove the radiator, but I have never done it.  Cam goes into the engine from the front.  Seems most change out the cam while the engine is out of the car (I know I did).

If you are going to be doing all that work:  heads, headers, and the cam, you may want to save yourself some trouble and do it all at once with the engine pulled.  Working on an engine on a stand is easier than working on one in a car.  Also I'm pretty sure you'll have to at least jack up the engine to get the headers in on that small block (some small block headers have some of the steering linkage passing through them).  In my experience with the 440, I think I have to pull the engine just remove the headers, but you'll probably have more room to work with on that 318.  Good luck

[67_Dodge_Charger]

I have changed the cam in my 74 while the engine was in the car.  It is awkward to say the least leaning over the fenders and bumper.  The time it takes you to pull the engine you could have the new one installed and start reinstalling the intake, timing cover, water pump, alternator, power steering pump and pulleys. 

It is a good idea to have a buddy help you out making sure you don't forget anything.

good luck

Robert

[Bones68charger]

Oh I have plenty of people who are going to be able to help me, I am lucky in the fact my dad runs a tractor shop and I get a long with the mechanics. I really want to learn how to do most of the stuff myself.

[Charger-Bodie]

the main thing that could cause you trouble with the cam swap in the car is if it has a chargerd a/c system cause you will need to remove the condenser if it has a/c

[terrible one]

I have changed a cam in a car ('76 Cadillac) with the engine in, and it's really not all that hard. It had A/C, and I was able to simply secure the compressor to the battery tray, and ended up not having to de-charge/take apart the A/C.

[Charger-Bodie]

I have changed a cam in a car ('76 Cadillac) with the engine in, and it's really not all that hard. It had A/C, and I was able to simply secure the compressor to the battery tray, and ended up not having to de-charge/take apart the A/C.

just to clearify i ment the a/c condenser ,as far as getting the cam all the way out

[Bones68charger]

No AC, the only options my car had were power stearing and a rear speaker. Its has plain Jane as it gets.

[davidlclassic]

Are you going to have to put new cam bearings in If you do thats another problem.

[tkkruzer]

swapping cams that are in the car isnt bad espesially if you dont have a/c. but if you are not careful you will scuff up the cam bearing something terrible,and all that bearing material will be in your pan in notime. you only have a few more bolts to remove to get the whole motor out since you are planing to replace other parts as well. plus it will give you a chance to check out and replace your old freeze plugs if need be. but i'm rambeling now. good luck. TK