Best method for turning camshafts.......

[longbow]

Another issue I'm stumbling over is how to turn the cams before replacing the heads. I've got the newer ones WITHOUT the hex pattern on the cam, and I've tried turning the sprocket by hand but that ain't gonna work! So, the build manual is as vague as ever, and there are two pictures where it mentions turning the cams. One has a man looking like he's hammering the cam lobe with a plastic mallet, and the other looks like someone has placed a metre long breaker bar against the teeth on the sprocket. Now, although I can guess as to what these methods involve, I was wondering if anyone had a more sympathetic approach...... How about using molegrips with some cloth over the teeth to prevent scratching????? Oh, and I tried an oil filter removal chain but unfortunately the chain segments were too big for the sprocket!!

Edited by longbow on Sunday 2nd July 19:37

[ridds]

Oil filter strap wrench? One of those rubber ones (used as jar openers too) that could go round the sprocket?

Is there no space between the lobes/journals to grab the shaft.... oooo err. :lol

WHat about teh bolt on the front, or is there not one or is this bolt loose?

[longbow]

Cheers Matt, think you might be onto a winner with the rubber strap wrench!!!! Unfortunately no bolts on the end of the cams thou......

[350matt]

I used a pair of water pump pliers (swanecks) to grip the plain diamter, worked OK for me

Matt

[cerbhead]

I'm currently measuring up the cams (lift, durations etc) and am using a prising bar between the sprocket bolt heads (without the sprocket). I have bolted the head to a bench with blocks under it so the valves don't hit the top. Two foot bar works fine and no damage to bolts.

Need to work out how to turn them for final timing-up once all engine's together..... I'd be really interested how you do it.

Good luck

[Julian64]

I used two mole grips and some leather strips. One mole grip wasn't enough, the cam is very hard material. Two mole grips allowed slow turning. Neither slipped and no marks left.

[cerbhead]

Julian64 said:

I used two mole grips and some leather strips. One mole grip wasn't enough, the cam is very hard material. Two mole grips allowed slow turning. Neither slipped and no marks left.

Good idea as don't need to move them much - but I don't know if me muscles are up to it

[Julian64]

cerbhead said:

Julian64 said:

I used two mole grips and some leather strips. One mole grip wasn't enough, the cam is very hard material. Two mole grips allowed slow turning. Neither slipped and no marks left.

Good idea as don't need to move them much - but I don't know if me muscles are up to it

If you think that takes muscles try turning the crankshaft with a spanner leaving the plugs in.