the only way to get to the lifters on the 4.0L is to remove the cylinder head

 

stupid design...but that's the way it is with these engines...but, hey, while you have the head off, have it gone thru...cleaned, magnafluxed. probably will require new exhaust valves and/or guides, grind the valves, cost ya at least a coupla hun but well worth it...

 

actually the motor only has about 30k on it since it was rebuilt so that part shouldnt be neccessary, but anybody else got any suggestions on the job? also, about how much does the head weigh on this motor? i'm trying to figure out whether two strong young guys can get it out by hand or if i should go borrow my friend's engine hoist again.

 

I did mine my own self, but I must admit, I am a stud...nah, it's not that heavy, unless you are a wimp, you can handle it...your own self

 

I pulled the head on my old Jeep on my own. It's got a little weight to it, but it's awkward getting it out, or it was for me.

 

Can you use pencil shaped magnets to pull up the lifters? That's an LS1 trick!

 

Does an LS1 use hydro lifters?

 

Does an LS1 use hydro lifters?

Yep! 16 of them! The aluminum head and block probably are why the magnets work so well though!

 

Didn't know so I thought I would ask. You are probably correct in the aluminum helping out by not sucking the magnent out of position/canceling out the magnetic force.

 

Problem is, I believe that they will come out of the block, but they won't come out the holes in the head...at least that was the way my 4.2L was...

 

Will the cam bearing journals clear the lifters if they are pulled up? On a 30,000 mile motor , like the OP has, the lifters should still be good and could be re-used. I figure this was a performance cam swap rather than a damaged replacement. Always use new lifters when replacing a worn cam, so the head would have to come off.

 

this is a performance cam swap. i have no running problems. however, being that it's a performance cam swap, i have to put in matching lifters for the cam, stock lifters won't work properly with the cam. i guess the bottom line is i'm pullin the head one way or another, i'm just hoping not to run into any issues with the actual pulling of the cam.

 

Can you use pencil shaped magnets to pull up the lifters? That's an LS1 trick!

This may be true but you should always replace the lifters when replacing the camshaft.
Therefore yes you have to remove the head to replace the cam.
If there is any damage to the lobe of the cam it will have damaged the lifter, this will take ruin the new cam you are installing.
Please read the provided links.

Dwayne