PourinDiesel

Today I got off my lazy butt and decided to change the oil (has 6 hooks on it and about 1000 miles).
I also thought it would be a great idea to run the valves and see what needed what as far as lash adjustment went.

Here is what I found:

Every intake and exhaust valve was only loose by .000" to 001". Basically no or a negligible amount of wear to report and with human error when setting lash the cam might not have worn at all.

The cam has about 15 +/- hooks to the sled on it so far.
I can say this really makes me happy to report this cam is holding up great as far as what the valve lash is telling me.

Oh yeah, I went ahead and changed the oil and filter while I was at it. I Installed the typical Fleetguard unit and a mix of 8 quarts of Valvoline 20w50 and 4 quarts Valvoline 15w40.

I used the ratio to make sure I got the benefits of the diesel additive package in the 15w40 but also have the added benefit of a heavier weight oil now.

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Luken

Thats good to hear. I'm almost ready to get a cam... It will be a helix.

cquestad

I think I am going to spring for one now too...since my front of my engine/truck will be tore down anyways...lol.

signature600

Go for it...If nothing else for the sound!! Justin's truck is the smoothest sounding CR I've ever heard...and she makes plenty of power to boot!

I'm going with a Helix 2 whenever I can steal it away from Brandon (Joefarmer)...he won't give it to me after I traded him some parts for it

Chris

wap

I would love to have one too. I could save the $ to buy it, my deal is intallin it. That looks like a major pita.

CQ, you have come this far, may as well go all out now.

trik396

Anyone know the specs on the Helix cam? Or are they secret? And how long does it take for a gearhead to swap cams?

Timinva

The cam should take you and a helper about 7-8hrs the first time you do it. We can do them in about 5hrs now. Nothing real hard but there is a lot to disassemble/assemble. Tim

signature600

I wish you were closer to home...a 5 hour cam install is even better than a 7 hour tranny removal, overhaul, and reinstall!

Chris

trik396

Helper... I don't need no stinkin' helper....

dodgeboy59td

Ive got a helix cam in the shop, but havent put it in yet, might save it for a winter build up???? Along with a few other things too! Wes

Matt S

I saw somewhere that you actually cut off the front cross member to do the cam swap. Is this still the standard practice?

Idaho CTD

When I did my install I had to cut the top of the front fender support (it keeps the fenders together). The problem is removing the cam with the gear on it. So you take the bolts out of the fender support, slide it over a bit to center the slot around the cam, and cut the top out of it. It is hollow and slotted (kind of looks like a giant version of unistrut except boxed). I welded the piece I cut back in but now I wish I would have welded tabs on it and bolted it back in because I'm going to do it again.

cquestad

I looked at that last night...and will make a bolt on replacement "channel" for the top portion that needs to be cut off.