Topic: Cam Gears

[Masta]

I'm installing a AEM cam gear on my 99 civic ex, I was wondering what my best options were for installing it? I've read the step by step instructions(cause i'm usually a DIYer) but it seems like a very lengthy and painstaking process. I know i'm going to have to remove the valve cover to get the cam gear cover off, but should i go with the instructions "remove this belt, loosen this bolt, put this here, blah blah blah" or "remove the valve cover, slip off the timing chain,make mark for timing, remove stock gear, replace with new gear, replace chain, set timing" the second option sounds a lot simpler and quicker. But sometimes it pays off reading instructions first. I dunno, most of the stuff i've put on my car tho, I just did it myself without instructions and all of those parts work fine.

[Night Angel424]

well if this is something that you havent done before id be a bit careful esp. since the cam is quite an important piece of the car, either way you're going to have to reset the timing. I thought you'd have to take off the belt either way, but replacing cams really doesnt take too much time, the hardest part will probably be the timing and getting those d a m n belts off and then back on, but good luck, let us know how it goes

[Mar_DC2]

i'll install it for you for $40. if you want to DIY just follow instruction's, its a pain but it pay's off in the end.

[pete]

yeah basically just be careful the "marking the timing belt" seems simple but if anything at all turns while your trying to put it back on the upper marks might fit but timing will still be off... no matter what you do, take the spark plugs out and turn the motor over COUNTER CLOCKWISE, if it binds up, the timing is definantly off, dn't force it or you will bend a valve.

[Kanzen]

Its really not that hard. Takes a little time. I would not suggest you doing it by yourself the first time if you have never been inside of a motor before. I would recommend doing it with someone that knows how  first and watching them. Just my .02.

You do not have to redo the timing if your markings on all your gears are the same when you pull your belt off. Although, I recommend just rechecking the timing and adjust it to your spec which should be advancing it 4 degrees on your setup.

Btw, on honda engines. Even if you were off by 2 tooth you will not bend a valve turning it counter clockwise. You wont even bend a valve starting the engine. It'll just run like s h i t.

[Jer]

Btw, on honda engines. Even if you were off by 2 tooth you will not bend a valve turning it counter clockwise. You wont even bend a valve starting the engine. It'll just run like s h i t.

Lucky b a s t a r d s, non-interference design  

[Kanzen]

LOL...d a m n skippy. Thats why I love those engines.

[Jer]

But in due time mine will be a non-interference too! :evil grin:

[utahteg]

I bet my buddy wishes his 91 talon was non-interference too...since his timing has been messed up since he tore into the engine and tried to fix it himself.

[Mar_DC2]

the thing that sucks about honda's though is if your timing belt goes, youre f u c k e d.

[Jer]

the thing that sucks about honda's though is if your timing belt goes, youre f u c k e d.

Wait a minute, Kanzen said they are non-interference, or does he mean some of them?  If you bust a timing belt on interference designed motor you might as well chaulk up another busted motor because valves meet pistons, but not on the non-interference motors.

[Mar_DC2]

ive just seen pictures of b-series motors that have lost a timing belt at full throttle and the valves were shot through the pistons, etc... but those were with very high lift cams and high dome pistons. i dont know if all hondas are non-interferrance.  

[Jer]

Oh with the domed pistons and higher lift cams, I can see it, but I was talking about bone stock

[Masta]

Still couldn't get it on. I'm probably gonna just pay the $250 it's gonna take to get it put on professionally. It'd be aight. Thx anyway yall!

[Masta]

d a m n I finally got it on, ended up gettin a new friend of mine put it on for $75 and he slighty advanced the timimng. Gave me a nice boost of torque and a little horsepower too. Its worth it definately as long as you don't pay $250 bucks to get it put on.

[Mar_DC2]

who was going to charge you $250 to put it on? when i had my old SOHC everyone i talked to was only asking $250 to install an entire cam shaft, you'd think something like a cam gear would cost much less since it doesn't involve as much work.

[Kanzen]

Sohc cam gear install should be about $150-200 bucks at the most. If your getting charged more then I would shop around.