Cam Alignment on a 960

kluhrm123 · Post by **kluhrm123** » 22 Jul 2013, 06:33

Thanks for quick reply. No it didn't shear all of the way off. The clearance for the shaft between the gear and the impeller (sp?) opened some as the water pump damaged. So when I took it off there is a significant damage to it. I have the belt off now and the water pump off. Mike

Post by **precopster** » 22 Jul 2013, 06:37

Did the belt loosen sufficiently that it may have skipped some teeth?

kluhrm123 · Post by **kluhrm123** » 22 Jul 2013, 07:14

Cannot tell. I went forward and removed two belts for the tensioner then removed the tensioner. I then took off the belt. It came off but it was tight. I have some concerns about whether it might have caused damage and then the retiming of it. I posted a few photos. I am also sure of any damage that may have been done as my daughter tried to restart it and then called me when it wouldn't start up. I am still working on how to actually post the photos as an attachment. After getting the tensioner off and the belt off it was apparent that some damage was caused to the front external pieces. I am in stage of putting it back together and got very concerned. If photos got attached you will see them. Mike

kluhrm123 · Post by **kluhrm123** » 22 Jul 2013, 08:04

Considering taking top head's top cover off (advice given) and viewing situation. How difficult to remove and put back. Do you have any attachments to assist and am I looking at 4 hours? ( I am pretty good as a mechanic). Can the bolts be re-used or should they be replaced? After the cover is off what do I do next- maybe I could go to a previous post but I am not sure which one. Any thanks will be greatly appreciated. She is now driving my car and I am driving the wife's. Thanks again Mike.

kluhrm123 · Post by **kluhrm123** » 22 Jul 2013, 09:15

Will take a pressure on each cylinder after belt is back on (with tenisioner in place). What is the compression I should see (approx)? Mike

kluhrm123 · Post by **kluhrm123** » 22 Jul 2013, 11:38

I lined up the crank time mark and then the cam gears so that all are now aligned in place. The belt and tensioner were in place. Once all in place I proceeded to hand turn the crank with the 1/2 inch ratchet about 1/2 of a revolution it stopped. So I definitely have a problem. Sounds like I have something bent in the head- maybe a valve- or valves? Not sure whether to put additional funds into it at this stage and now comes the hard set of decisions. Any ideas? Mike

Post by **precopster** » 22 Jul 2013, 12:42

If you take the top cover off it's really difficult to assess as with valve springs in place not easy to measure free standing height of valves.

Figure on about 5 hrs for the job.

I faced a similar question 2 years ago with my 960 and I had 24 bent valves but the only way to assess is to follow through.

Once top cover is removed you can do a compression check; it will be lower than normal perhaps 120-130 psi as air has trouble entering engine but this gives you an idea if any valves are stuck open.

kluhrm123 · Post by **kluhrm123** » 22 Jul 2013, 16:07

I am contemplating taking it back to the mechanic and plan on taking off the entire head. If it will be tough to see it with the top over off it would probably be better to plan on a removal of the whole head. At that point I will at least know what I got. What is your thought? Mike

kluhrm123 · Post by **kluhrm123** » 22 Jul 2013, 16:09

Sorry- I did a quick read on your reply back. It sounds like that would be the most desirable? (Cover off- line up? or complete head removal?) Sorry it is hot out here in Texas and I think I need some more water. Mike

Post by **precopster** » 22 Jul 2013, 16:17

Taking top cover off is first part of removing head anyway. Once this is done if engine turns freely by hand you're in the clear. BTW the five hours would be to reassemble and seal.

Just taking off 46 bolts with a speed drill and removing coil pack wiring is around one hour. The seal shouldn't be too hard just tap gently around the head on the lugs until it pops.

Taking head off at mechanic's is mucho monetta

Cam Alignment on a 960

Re: Cam Alignment on a 960