Classic Alfa Forums

When setting the flywheel at TDC on no 1 firing stroke
And both camshafts marks aligned.

I remember that the RH camshaft moves when the old belt is removed.

Has anyone got a diy camshaft locking tool?

Maybe drill a hole in the pulley to fit it?

TBH Dave. Locking the cam was never really an issue. it’s really easy to just Chuck a spanner on the cam bolt and turn it with one hand and slide the belt on with the other. I guess you could make a tool though if you wanted to.

I find I need one hand on the spanner, and two to fit the belt!

Also , is there a way of putting timing marks on the cam pulleys, to avoid draining oil out to see the timing marks?

Yes of course you can !! all you need to do is time the engine up and then add your own pointers and marks using what ever blobs of paint you have lying around.

Go on Lou.......show us your blobs!

As I recall the cam pulleys only fit one way. They have two notches like I I on the back that iyou see through the hole in the top of the backing plate. I f you see both then they are perfect. I put said blob of paint in to the notches to make them more visible, plus a blob on the tooth that fell inbetween the notches just to be sure. Thats how I did mine anyway. As I remember it, with the crank on TDC you had to pull the camshafts back ever so slightly to time up.

You are quite right Steven. That system applies to the 8v Hydraulic tappet engines.

Here is a handy special tool for 16 valve engine. Works only on LH head though. For the RH side I had to carve one out of wood.

That reminds me, I need to do the cam belt on my 8v hydraulic engined Sprint.

Completely remember one of the cams moving back round a bit when you remove the cam belt (one of the valves wanting to close under its spring pressure I think) and then you pull it back round with a c spanner.

However, as I’ve also got to remove the pulleys and change the cam seals, I can’t remember if it’s ok to allow cam shaft to be left in that position for a period of time? I presume it is ok? Anyone disagree?

Cheers.

As long as you don't turn the crank over, or forget to move it back it won't matter any

Fantastic, cheers mate