I plan on changing timing gears before I have a problem. Plan to use the method of taking out back cradle bolts and letting it swing down. Should I take AC compressor loose? Once I have new gear pressed on camshaft and put it back in how do I rotate cam and crank to line up gear marks and put crank gear back on. I think the answer is simple but I want to understand everything fully before I start. Also could I put in new camshaft on existing bearings.

The engine runs fine, but has 120,000 miles so I don't want to be on the road and have this gear fail. I am in Florida, it is 75 degrees and I have a garage and extra Fiero so time to fix this right is not a problem. I have reviewed the posts on timing gears and they are great, but they get a little hazy on lining up the gears.

I have an 87 coupe, 60,000 miles like new. 88 coupe with 120,000 perfect except paint. Orignal owner.

Make sure the marks are lined up before you take it apart, then you won't have to rotate anything .

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The two gears are marked. Line up the marks.

Best way with pulleys off it is to use a flywheel turning tool. If you can't find one of those then be very careful you don't break and teeth off the flywheel/flexplate.

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11-Sept-01, The day the world as we knew it ended.

You'll probably end up getting a kit with new cam and crank gears and the new chain. That's what I got when I asked for a timing chain from autozone for my V6, and the whole set (lifetime warranty) was around $21.

To line up the marks on the gears before you take the old ones off, I would try putting the bolt that holds the crank pulley back in and turning the crank with a rachet once you can see the timing gears. Make sure to remove your spark plugs to avoid building compression when you're turning the crank by hand, it will make it a lot easier.

I don't know what all you have read in the archived topics, but from what I have determined from them is that the general consensus is that the metal gears are just as quiet as the fiber ones. In my opinion, since this job is a pain, I would just go for the metal ones since they will probably last long. Something about compressed fibers making a gear that spins awefully quickly doesnt set well with me.

by the way, Welcome to the Forum!

Good Luck!

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'87 Coupe 5spd. - Soon to be V6, engine build in progress!
AIM:FieroJoe87

Thanks for the help. One other thing do I use a wheel puller to get the gear off of the crankshaft.

To get the gear off the camshaft, you can take the cam down to a machine shop and have them press it off (and press the new one on) for about $10-20 (NAPA charged me about $15)... OR you can use the drilling/tapping process that has already been discussed in previous threads. In contrast, the gear on the crankshaft should come off very easily (mine came off by hand).

As far as lining up the gears is concerned... it's really easy if you put on the timing gears (no, there is no chain) before you re-install the lifters and pushrods. This way you can turn the camshaft freely. To turn the crankshaft, just install the crank pulley bolt and use a breaker bar with socket to turn it. The bolt's head is smaller than the crankshaft hub, so you can pull the crank gear off and re-position the crankshaft without having to repeatedly remove and replace the bolt.

[This message has been edited by Blacktree (edited 01-30-2002).]