VCCA Home Forums TECHNICAL - GENERAL Mechanical - Engine, Trans, etc Replace camshaft timing gear (1932)

I trying to replace the fiber camshaft timing gear on my 1932.
The correct way by manual is to press on camshaft thrust plate, but it will destroy the thrust plate.

As I`m in northern Europe I don`t know where to find a new camshaft thrust plate, so I`m trying to remove old fiber gear without destroying the thrust plate, any ideas?
I have so far removed the fiber part, and build my own little jig around the center piece, but as you have very little edge to grap on to, I can`t get it stable enough.

I have been told that the metal piece can be cracked with a metal chisel and supporting the opposite side. Or if you have a press using a sharp wedge to one side of the metal piece. Warming the metal part of the gear and cooling the shaft might be enough to loosen it?

Cut the metal inner piece hub of the gear with a chsel or drill holes in it and then split it.
That can be done with the cam in the engine.
To install drill a hole in the center of the crankshaft and thread the hole and use a big bolt to push the gear in place. You will be surprised how easy the crankshat is to drill. This to can be done with engine in the car.

If you old gear sripped it is due to lack of oil flow. The front engine monting plate the should be removed the the oil pocket behind it cleaned.

Hej Morten

I would start by using a dremel (die grinder) with a narrow bit and cutting a groove lengthwise in the remaining metal hub.
Cut deep enough to remove most of the hub metal, but not deep enough to damage the camshaft.

Then use a hammer and a cold chisel ground a very wide angle to strike in the groove you cut with the die grinder.
It will be much easier to split the hub with most of the metal already ground away.

Any small areas of damage to the camshaft can then be carefully dressed away with a small file.

I love my die grinder! :-)

Thanks all, I will try to remove some material with the grinder, and then use the chisel.
I was thinkineg about going that way, but was worried about being to hard on the shaft, but now I beleive in this technique.

Camshaft is already out, and the oil pocket behind mounting plate is cleaned, and free all the way to the bearing.

I choose to cut just outside woodroof key, and then also a cut on the opposite side to weaken the hub.
Then clamped in the vice, and then it only needed a few small strike with hammer to open up.

Excellent!

Very nice approach and very well done! :-)

I often use a 1/8" drill parrallel to the key. Has the same effect as I dont have a dremel
Tony