Distributor Drive Gear Washer

jhadler · 05-24-2004, 02:08 PM

Hey all,

Figured I'd ask the pelican chaps for advice. Wile pulling the distributor drive gear (don't need it anymore with an electromotive), the washer fell off and into the motor. Yup, I'll bet half of you can already imagine what that sounds like and how it feels when you hear it...

Anyway, do any of you know of a clever way to extract it without splitting the case? I've rotated the motor on an engine stand, shaken it back and forth, blown compressed air, but it's determined to stay put. My guess is it fell behind the cam gear.

I know that simply letting it sit there is a gamble not even a Vegas veteran would take. So before I split the motor, anyone have any thoughts?

And when I split the motor, any suggestions on what I -must- do when I re-assemble it?

Thanks!

-Josh2

Jason Porter · 05-24-2004, 02:56 PM

Split the case if you can't see it. You'll probably waste a lot more time trying to get to it than you will tearing it down and reassembling it.

If you can see it, use a magnet. Good luck homey!

Reassembly, make sure you keep the correct lifters with the correct cam lobes etc. I would label the side of the case and the lifters with a sharpie. Replace the front and rear seals. Do an inspection of your bearings, and replace as necessary. Don't get in a hurry or be cheap; seal everything, clean everything, and inspect everything anal-retentively. Replace anything questionable. Better now than later.

Brant · 05-24-2004, 04:36 PM

bump

silver2.0 · silver2.0's Garage

Just for kicks buy a powerful permenant magnet, grab it securly with something- maybe a good set of mechanical fingers with a little electrical tape around it?? And fish it around a bit. You have nothing to lose at this point, and it will only take a minute. You are going to need a pretty good list of sealants to put it back together as well. I suggest Loctite anerobic gasket maker- napa even sells it- Jake Raby had suggested this before. You can use this on the case halves, the jug bases, and a few other various areas where you have no gap/or less than a couple thousands anyway. It works outstanding, and is alot less messy than most sealers. I have a complete list around somewhere if you end up that far. When was the last time you poped new rings in? It's pretty cheap, and now would be a good time!! I think I paid around $50 for my set off this site. The porsche factory manual says you should change them every 30,000 miles. Sounds kind of ridiculous to me, but hey, while your in there.....

Brant · 05-26-2004, 07:23 AM

I think Josh's motor is Brand NEW... never been run and won't need most wear items replaced...

b

jhadler · 05-26-2004, 08:44 AM

The motor is -not- new. I bought it used, with around 30,000 miles on a rebuild.

It might just be a good idea to re-ring it. But does that mean I need to re-hone the jugs as well?

-Josh2

Dave at Pelican Parts · Dave at Pelican Parts's Garage

Generally, yes.

Sorry to hear about this, Josh. Didn't you and Reyna work something like this out once before? The magnet-on-a-string thing might just work....

--DD

jhadler · 05-26-2004, 01:38 PM

Hey Dave,

The magnet on a string thing works great if you can see where the washer is... I know where it is, but I also know that it's innaccessible. It's -behind- the cam gear in the gear sump. There's no way I can get to it short of splitting the case...

With socket wrench in hand, slowly I turn... bolt by bolt...

-Josh2

silver2.0 · silver2.0's Garage

you will probably want to hone it, but that's a piece of cake. Buy a hone from napa, or wherever/ and it will take you less than 10 minutes.