Installing New Cam Gears

[searya]

I am getting a set of Adjustable Cam gears for fy 84 Azzurra. Was wondering if anyone had swapped cam gears on their fiat and if so what I am in for work wise?

Thanks,

Sean

[18Fiatsandcounting]

Sean, I haven't swapped out cam gears on the later model engines such as yours, but for the earlier years, I have had to change them due to the originals being excessively rusty, damaged, etc. In theory, it isn't too difficult, and the work involves removing the timing belt (at least off the cam gears), and then loosening the bolt at the end of the cam and removing the gear. For the latter task (assuming your gears are similar), this involves preventing the camshaft from turning while loosening the bolt. This can either be done with an impact wrench or jamming a screwdriver or the like against one of the cam lobes to prevent the camshaft from turning while loosening that bolt.

The camshaft and auxiliary shaft cam timing has to be lined up again before putting the belt back on, of course. Let us know if you need any other suggestions. Others might have direct experience with an '84 engine.

-Bryan

[tima01864]

There is no difference in the 83-85 engines in this respect, If I am correct they are non interference unless valves are larger. 18fiatsand counting would it be better to loosen the bolts beore cutting the timing belt?

[18Fiatsandcounting]

...would it be better to loosen the bolts before cutting the timing belt?

I have occasionally been able to do exactly that, but most times the cam pulley just keeps jumping "teeth" on the timing belt, especially the intake cam pulley which has only about 90 degrees of belt contact. The exhaust cam pulley has almost 180 degrees of belt contact, so it's held a bit more firmly by the belt. There's also the matter of retorquing the bolts once you get the new pulleys installed.

Worth a try, but only if you plan on replacing the belt, as I'm not sure I would trust a timing belt that has had its teeth stressed like that. I was assuming that Sean wasn't planning on replacing the timing belt, but now that I think about it, it's worth going ahead and doing this while you have the cam pulleys off. Then there's the whole issue of getting the old belt off and the new one installed and timed, but fortunately much has been written about that. Some models are easier than others, but I can't speak for an '84 engine.

-Bryan

[searya]

Thanks for help sounds like it won't be too bad of a job as I have an impact wrench and will remove the belt before I start!

[tima01864]

Why are you swapping out the cam wheels? Just curious.

[nelsonj]

If I recall correctly, when I had my head rebuilt, I put on new cam gears and had the cam seals replaced also. Others can chime in, but if you can replace the seals after the cam gears are removed, I'd suggest changing the seals also.

[RRoller123]

You can hold the cam and (cam wheel) from turning, while removing the cam bolt, by removing the valve cover and putting a properly sized piece of hardwood under a cam lobe. The HARD wood will not harm the surface of the cam at all, nor the cam housing, and then the bolt should release. Don't waste time with pine or spruce, etc, it will splinter and you risk getting splinters down in the oil passage. Plug up the oil return passages nearby if worried about that.

I have alternately tried putting a very large clamp, like a dual screw wood clamp, across the cam wheel with the belt still on, or off, doesn't really matter, and hold the wheel that way while loosening the bolt. Not a good idea to use the engine in gear, etc and rely upon the belt to hold the cam wheel, for it is likely to slip and valve/piston damage could result. Not worth the risk, imho.

[18Fiatsandcounting]

If I recall correctly, when I had my head rebuilt, I put on new cam gears and had the cam seals replaced also. Others can chime in, but if you can replace the seals after the cam gears are removed, I'd suggest changing the seals also.

That's a good idea; I agree. I also agree with RRoller above that using a piece of hardwood is a better approach than my earlier suggestion of a screwdriver. And now that I think about it, that's exactly what I have done in the past. Too many moons have passed since my last cam pulley removal while still on the car!

-Bryan

[geospider]

I used the rubber version of a chain wrench: strap wrench
https://www.homedepot.com/p/Alltrade-Gr ... &gclsrc=ds


Long link; sorry. check them out. worked great.
easy on the gears

geo