I want to know if it's possible to replace the camshaft in my 1970 Nova, it's a 350SB. I removed the camshaft gear but thats about it. Please reply if anyone has advice. thanks  

yes.. just pull really hard....      no!!! sorry there are other things to take off first......but it will come out... read below..

are the lobes flat???    going for more performance...      got the while i in here .. i might as well ***   bug..

yes... you can do it in the chassis.      

the dizzy has to come out... the intake , both valve covers,   all the rocker arms.. the push rods.. then the lifters... and if you think the crank gear was hard to get out... let me introduce you to the 16 valve lifters...      the fuel pump... yes... it has to come out too... remember the push rod...

both the radiator and the a/c condenser have to come out... sometimes the grill and the front bumper...    on a  nova... it is almost quicker to pull the motor ... put it on a stand...    and change the cam where you can get at it easily...

then you can reseal the motor and get it all done right...

in fact.. if you engine stand is sturdy... you can even fire the motor up on the stand.. but not for long enough to break in the cam properly...   cam break in has to be done all at one time... on the first start... if you don't want to flatten the new cam....

be sure to read up on cam lobe failures  before you start...

you want to be prepared..  

thank you,

i'm going for more performance (hopefully), some guy just gave me a new cam set up with the new comp cam, valve springs, and lifters. the rocker arms on my nova already are in fairly good condition. I'd replace them for even more performance but i have no money.

I just really wanted to know if it was even possible to do this with the engine still in. But anymore tips would really help, thanks

peace out  

are they factory rockers.. how much lift and duration does the free cam have??? there are probably 10,000 different grinds for small block chevys...

some too small...  some too large... hopefully this porridge will be just right...

if you have too much lift.. you may need long slot rockers... roller rockers..  machine the valve guides down for clearance..

time to go to the speed shop or chain parts store and buy a book on how to hot rod the small block chevy...  just so you have the basic understanding as this might get confusing...

it is truly important to know what cam it is... and what springs they are... and if they will fit on stock heads...  if they need special retainers and keepers...  

you will also need at least a valve spring compressor that grips on to the spring from the top... (check the tools rack at the parts store... its got a big fingered knob on top)     if that is close to being the original motor.. you really might think at this point of pulling it and mounting it on an engine stand...  it is just so much faster to swap things on a stand..