Clamping Timing Gear

[Ron/IA]

I recently read where the camshaft timing gear is held in place using a clamp while removing and installing the camshaft nut.

I have searched this forum, but have not found a picture illustrating this method, nor seen a description detailed enough on how to do this.

Can anyone help?

Thanks, Ron/IA

[Mike V. Florida]

I threw a rag in the gears when I did mine.

[Mikeinnj]

Originally Posted by Mike V. Florida

I threw a rag in the gears when I did mine.

The worst thing you can do to the teeth on the cam gear is throw a rag between the cam and crank gears.

With the cam out of the engine, the cam gear should be clamped in a vise using flat wood blocks to protect the side surfaces and the nut tightened to at least 50 foot pounds.

As for replacing the cam gear with the cam in the engine, here is an answer from Dan at DMC GEARS .... "On the cam gear nut- you don't want to use the teeth to stop the rotation of the cam. Best way is to remove the cam gear side cover, and clamp a bar of metal to the rim of the cam gear with a few c- clamps and let the bar stop the cam rotation- you can put some sheetmetal between the c clamp and the gear face to keep from damaging the gear. Make sure the face of the cam is clean and burr free before putting the new gear on the cam. To put the crank gear on, heat it up to about 325/375 degrees and it will almost slide on- work fast and have a piece of pipe or tubing handy to seat the gear on the crankshaft with some hammer blows. Tighten the nut to at least 50 ft-lbs."

[BILL WILLIAMSON]

While torqueing the cam nut to 105Ft Lbs, Dave's wife, Marla, held it with the crookedy crank!!!---Bill W.

[Mike V. Florida]

Originally Posted by Mikeinnj

The worst thing you can do to the teeth on the cam gear is throw a rag between the cam and crank gears.

"

Don't tell my engine that.

[Ron/IA]

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Mike V - I know people use a rag stuffed between the teeth, and have been successful doing so. I prefer not to use that method; which doesn't answer my question.

Mikeinnj - Thank you for detailed description. I now have a better idea of what is involved.

Bill - Your method would cause me a lot of stress, and didn't answer my question either.

[George Miller]

I put a clamp on the big gear to stop it from turning. I would never use rag in the teeth. If the engine is still in the car take the side cover off.

[Growley bear]

I have been using a rag between gears for many years. No problems yet.
I saw a tool one time that was designed to be inserted into a spark plug hole to stop any turning; similar to the TDC tool.

I would like to see some pictures of "C" clamps being used, seems that method would impart more stress on the gear than a rag.

Chet

[Purdy Swoft]

If you think about it, putting a stop on a piston or the flywheel will stop the engine from turning but there would still be strain on the gear teeth when the cam nut was tightened. Using a clamp on the cam gear locks the gear in place and there is no strain on the gear teeth when the cam nut is tightened

[redmodelt]

The clamp sounds like a good idea, as long as you aren't using an original cam nut wrench, have the water pump off and both sides of the hood up. The nut has to swing 180 degrees to line up for the next face to put the wrench on. I am willing to give it a go and will see if I can get more swing from the drivers side. I still see, crank the engine till I can put the wrench on, set the clamp, turn the nut, take the clamp off, turn the engine till I can put the wrench on, put the clamp on, turn the nut, take the clamp off, turn the engine, put the clamp on, turn the nut.....No one said it was going to be easy! Oh I forgot about having to walk from one side of the car to the other!

[Purdy Swoft]

The modern style cam nut is the way to go.