993 cam tools wtb or rent

[jhg41977]

Ok, rent is maybe stretching it since these are not exactly cheap.

Anyone have

9551/9552 Cam locks

9553 Camlock

9401 Aux tensioner (2)

9548/9582 pulley retainer/wrench

9511 Oring install tool for crankcase orings

Thanks
Jim

[earossi]

I'm just finishing up with a rebuild of my993 3.6 motor. I had the same issues you are now encountering with respect to the cam lock tools. So, I elected to just back date the timing mechanism to 964 designs. Parts to do this were cheap, and I was able to then use my old tools to time the cams.

You can fabricate your own static chain tensioners. I took some 1/4" thick bar stock that was 3/4" wide. Cut two pieces to a length of about 2 inches and then drill and tap a hole in the center of each for a 1/4-20 bolt. You can get all of this stuff at Ace hardware. Finally drill two mounting holes in each plate to attached them to your chain boxes. They worked like a champ.

[jhg41977]

I was thinking about making a set of the tensioners, they are pretty simple. Is there anyway to time the cams without the tools or backdating to mechanical? I dont have the old tools either.

[earossi]

Originally Posted by jhg41977

I was thinking about making a set of the tensioners, they are pretty simple. Is there anyway to time the cams without the tools or backdating to mechanical? I dont have the old tools either.

When I researched this, the best price on the locking tools was about $1000. To time the back dated sprockets, you only need a dial indicator setup and the tool to hold the sprockets while you torque the cam nuts. That tool can be bought from our sponsor for less than $200, I believe. Or, they can be sourced "used" since they they have been around a long time.

You can purchase good used sprockets and a used mechanical rocker shaft (needed to set the initial cam position) from an outfit like EBS for about $50 for the lot. The one thing that you will have to do, if not present, is to have Woodruff key slots machined into your cams. Not very expensive, if needed. Many 993 cams have the keyways already machined. Or, as in my case, I was changing cams to Webcam cams, which came with the keyways already machined.

There are pros and cons to back dating. The "pros" are that you don't need to spend $1000 on special tools that will only be used once. And, that the back dated cams are "mechanically" locked in position when completed, while the standard 993 cam locking uses ONLY friction to hold the cams in position. I did not like that, even though I did run 100k without having my cams knowingly "slip" timing. But, since I was now replacing cams......I did not want Murphy's Law to prevail resulting in cam slippage because of a screw up on my part! Back dating mechanically "locks" the cams to the chains.

The final "pro" for backdating is that the technique allows you to slightly advance or retard cam timing during installation. There are some out there that claim that a slight advance on timing will give you more low end power (at the expense of top end power), and vice versa.

I discussed the advancing of timing with several builders and got advice that advancing timing would not be noticeable to, "yes" you will pickup noticeable low end torque from advancing. I finally did advance the cams slightly. Haven't driven the car yet, but we'll see. Felt that I couldn't hurt anything and my street driving desires more low end power without the need for the top end push.

The "cons" to backdating are the added complexity of setting cam timing. It does take time, and in my case (doing it for the first time), I killed the better part of an afternoon playing around with it. Though you want to freeze the timing at a value, it is also very important to get the timing of both cams as close to one another as possible. So, it took me multiple attempts before I got "lucky" to get it right. It helps to be a little bit anal! I am anal and wanted to just "do" the cam timing myself since there is nothing like doing it versus reading about it.

From an out-of-pocket cost basis, I was able to purchase all the tools (cam pin wrench and dial indicator setup) for about $300 while the cost to purchase the 993 cam locks was about $1000. From EBS, I purchased a used locking hub (that is keyed to the cam), the Woodruff keys, a used mechanical rocker, the large cam washers, the locking pins, and used large sprockets....all for $50. That was a deciding factor.

If you are lucky, and post a need for the tools to do the back dating on this or the Rennlist site, you may be able to purchase the tools "used" for less than the $300 I spent.

Whether you retain the 993 setup or choose to back date, you will need a way to pre-tension the chains, so you need those tools.

But, to answer your original question, I do not know of a way to time the cams without tools that allow adjustment or locking of the cams.

[jhg41977]

Thanks for the help guys, I went ahead and bought the tools. Will be available for sale in a few weeks unless I get attached to them.

[earossi]

Out of curiosity, from whom did you source the locking tools?

[jhg41977]

I found the tools on toolsource.com. Saw who made them and called the manufacturer, Baumtools.com. They do not post prices on their website. Their prices were higher than toolsource, when I asked why I was told tgat toolsource buys a large volume from them and direct ships, so they have no overhead. Baum matched toolsource price for me.

[earossi]

Good for you!