Question : What can I use as a cam hold down tool?

[gpchris]

Ive been trying different stuff all day.. I cant find anything that will hold the cams and wont bend when i tighten the gear bolts.. What do you guys use?

[dohcfiend]

a piece of square keystock with a hole drilled in it will work for stock timing.

[gpchris]

tried it, but it bent..

[3100 MPFI]

just do it without it. I did the timing belt on my twin cam without it. It is not that much harder. You only have to really watch the REAR CAM.

[gpchris]

get on aim 3100 mpfi

[94GPGTP]

do u have the gear holder?

[gpchris]

no.. where can i get one?

[94GPGTP]

mmmm im not sure.. Its a cam gear holder or something i added the bar stock for the handle.. Im coming back to beecher for the weekend on the 3rd.. maybe i can get it to you for u to use.. you will need this in order to break the bolts loose.. try Useing a impact with impact swivals to break the bolts loose... i did and it worked fine.. just dont strip a bolt like i did and have to grind the head off.. LMK

[walterdude]

Here's a couple of pics that are/were posted somewhere....... I'm going to make something similar soon..... Need to do a timing belt.... The motor I just put in has 59,000 miles on it.... Who knows if the guy did it before the car got totaled..... Besides,, I got one of the adjustable timing tools and I'm going to do the 6 and 6 timing....
DON'T try to loosen/tighten the bolts using the cam flat hold down tool!!! I've heard of more than one person stripping out the bolt holes.... They are NOT supposed to be used for that.... They are only for getting the flats lined up....
Good luck,,,
Hope this helps.....
Tom

[gpchris]

k Thanks for the help guys. I finally got it done!

Now on to the next problem.. Is my belt supposed to be this close to the edge?

[Dave96z34]

Myn runs that close to the edge.

[gpchris]

hmm im not sure if i need to replace the idlers or not.. Im not sure if they were replaced before.. Engine has 120k miles..

[ronniels]

Have always been told to always change the idler and tensioner pulleys to be safe.
The dealer even said you can go cheap on the pulleys, but to always use the good belt!

[gpchris]

Well i ordered acdelco idlers.. I figure I dont plan on selling the car so it just saves me time.

[walterdude]

Order the tensioner also.... Rock Auto has a kit with the 2 idlers, tensioner and belt for somewhere around $120... There's probably a discount code posted somewhere on this site for Rock Auto too. With the new idlers and tensioner that belt should run more towards the center of the cogs... The general opinion is to change the belt and idlers and tensioner every 60,000 miles.... Those 4 cams and 24 valves really put a beating on those things... I figure $120 is pretty cheap insurance......
Tom...