Removing timing gear nut

[30aadoodlebug]

I have the socket wrench attachment, but this sucker won't budge. Thoughts?

[700rpm]

Put a long pipe over your wrench handle for more torque. Put in first or reverse gear. Set your parking brake. Stuff a large heavy rag, like an old bath towel, between the gear and the pan to help keep it from turning.

[BILL WILLIAMSON]

WHACK it with a chisel & a BIG HAMMER, it's easy!
Bill Bang

[Dick M]

It is not advised to stuff a rag in the crank gear. Much better to clamp the timing gear. Use 2 slats of wood about 4 inches long and 2 "C" clamps. Clamp the timing gear by placing one slat on the back side of the timing gear and one slat on the front side of the timing gear. Then tighten the "C" clamps on both sides of the timing gear. The slats will use the pan as a stop. You can also use this method to torque your new timing gear.


You can use a cheater on you ratchet. However, I have found the best way to get a stubborn cam nut loose is to use an pneumatic impact gun.

[Chuck Sea/Tac]

Use a portable air compressor with a air ratchet. On and off easy, with no damage.
Or a hammer drill.

[700rpm]

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Originally Posted by Dick M

It is not advised to stuff a rag in the crank gear. Much better to clamp the timing gear. Use 2 slats of wood about 4 inches long and 2 "C" clamps. Clamp the timing gear by placing one slat on the back side of the timing gear and one slat on the front side of the timing gear. Then tighten the "C" clamps on both sides of the timing gear. The slats will use the pan as a stop. You can also use this method to torque your new timing gear.


You can use a cheater on you ratchet. However, I have found the best way to get a stubborn cam nut loose is to use an pneumatic impact gun.

You’re probably right about the rag. The clamps sound like a good way to go. Some of us old guys who have been doing this for 50+ years have trouble adapting to newer methods.

[30aadoodlebug]

Ok guys, Thanks.

I gave up around 7:00, as it started to get freezing out! I put a pair of vise-grips on the old timing gear to act as a stop on the frame which worked very well. The issue Im finding is that it the nut seems to be pretty well rusted on there. I soaked it in penetrating oil, and I'll attack it with the flaming tomahawk tomorrow night after work.

[katy]

Originally Posted by BILL WILLIAMSON

WHACK it with a chisel & a BIG HAMMER, it's easy!
Bill Bang

Ditto

[harryc]

That's the way it always used to be done. Have done it myself many times

[WHN]

Originally Posted by BILL WILLIAMSON

WHACK it with a chisel & a BIG HAMMER, it's easy!
Bill Bang

I have seen a lot of timing gear nuts that look like they have been removed this way.

[SeaSlugs]

Originally Posted by 30aadoodlebug

Ok guys, Thanks.

I gave up around 7:00, as it started to get freezing out! I put a pair of vise-grips on the old timing gear to act as a stop on the frame which worked very well. The issue Im finding is that it the nut seems to be pretty well rusted on there. I soaked it in penetrating oil, and I'll attack it with the flaming tomahawk tomorrow night after work.

lol flaming tomahawk - never heard it called that.

Yea let it soak overnight and see what the morning brings before getting torches involved.

[28]

Impact gun or impact wrench. Or bang on it like a monkey like bill suggested.

Getting a bigger lever is the best sure fire way to end up with a broken bolt when something won’t budge. Impact guns are a game changer.

[hardtimes]

Originally Posted by 30aadoodlebug

I have the socket wrench attachment, but this sucker won't budge. Thoughts?

Thoughts...yes.
Is this an old rusted engine block ? If so, yeah rust is to be expected. If not old rusted block, remember that that area is lubed regularly and should not be rusted on. Also, that nut is supposedly put on with no less than 100 ft lbs torque !
The 'gear guru' McEachern, says NEVER put rags and that type stuff between gears, as you will ruin something !
So, if rusted soak then big impact wrench.
If not rusted impact wrench is your friend.

[john in illinois]

I always use a 1/2' impact and replace the bolt with a new style hex cam bolt.

John

[John]

On a very stubborn nut I had, I drilled a couple of holes in the nut and split it with a chisel. It then came off easily.

[Big hammer]

Originally Posted by BILL WILLIAMSON

WHACK it with a chisel & a BIG HAMMER, it's easy!
Bill Bang

When I work on my A, I always use a BIG HAMMER :-) Thanks Bill !

[30aadoodlebug]

Originally Posted by SeaSlugs

lol flaming tomahawk - never heard it called that.

Yea let it soak overnight and see what the morning brings before getting torches involved.

Yeah, that's a term us whippersnappers use in the v8 world!


I soaked the hell out of it again before work, and when I got home it still wouldn't budge. Time for the old flaming tomahawk!