Engine guys- how much room in front of bbc to change cam??
 

I'm thinking of tweaking my 575 with a cam change and 3.3l blower from Dustin. As you can see, considerable room in front. How many inches in front of the timing cover is needed to swing the cam in and out?

Yes, I'm perfectly capable of pulling the motor but my cherry picker is useless for the boat adn I'd rather not go to a shop and tie up their people/equipment or pay them to do the work (and trust them to be as anal as I am)

You'd be really close, but I don't think you have enough. The cam is just a bit shorter than the block.

Whats in front of that bulkhead??

You could cut a hole, and put some sort of plug over it, then you can change it as often as you want!!!

Yep, you could pull the back seat(may not be necessary) and cut a small hole in the bulkhead.

Brian

You guys are right- it is very close, that's why I need to measure- doesn't anyone have a BBC cam sitting around??

Not cutting any holes in my bulkhead, though I can see where someone may choose to do that- just not me.

better pull it then....

I hear ya,

It was just an idea, we have done it with chevy trucks, almost comes out, just hits the radiator support on the last inch or so, cut it out, change the cam, and weld it back up. I probably wouldnt do it either, but you could make a nice access plug if you wanted to.

Yep, easy enough to yank it. You could probably just lift it high enough to swap the cam then set it right back in if you wanted.

Brian

I would pull the motor out to do this kind of work, just because you have the room to play with the cam when removing it and putting it back again without hurting the cam bushings. Why change the Merc cam on there have you done your homework;) Good luck , Albert

PS: Try to stay under 288 duration so you can use your excisting tail pipes, if not you will need to go dry.:p

I'll be home at 6:30. Can check then. I have one laying on the floor.