Hey everybody, first of all I might say don't buy the OBX cam gears, they are off on the timing marks by a lot. The first set I ordered off of Ebay, they had marks on different spots of the gears, correct me if I'm wrong, but the cam gears are supposed to be identical right? The second set I got (after returning the first set) were identical, but they were both off by 1 degree. Anyway, I kept them and made new marks and set them off 1 degree and am dealing with it. I do have a question though, I just got my bad ass head with cams, lashers, rockers, valves, springs, and retainers and am in the process of installing all of these things on my car. So far I got the head on and the cams and cam gears on, I'm stuck on the timing belt though, should the intake cam have any pressure on the valves springs at all? Because I read somewhere that the intake cam has tension on it pulling it counter clockwise. Is this true? Or do you just align everything with your hands and put the belt on. I think I have it all on right except for the tensioner tomorrow. I just don't want to have to tear all of this crap back off to fix the timing. Any help would be great.

First rule of thumb: dont buy ANYTHING obx! EVER!!!!!!!!!!!
try doing a search, there are a few write-ups on T-belt changes floating arounf on here, or at least links to them...

Well, if incorrect timing marks indicate a poor product, then avoid AEM's cam gears, too.

i would consider anything like this to be a poor product, they obviously dont care that the timing marks are off(aem) because this has been known for a while and im sure they have been told about it.

Is there any way to just put everything back together and drive it with the timing screwed up to have it dyno'd and let them tune them? Or would it just be too risky? I think I'm pretty damn close to tru time here. I might be off like a tooth or two. Let me know.

anybody know if it would hurt to drive it with the timing a couple of teeth off for 200 miles to get it dyno'd? I have the adjustable cam gears, so they could adjust them right? Please help me on this, i'm stuck for the moment.

no i am sure it cant hurt, what the hell do engineers know, timing marks are only a guideline....they are jsut there to justify the large price on timing belt changes at the dealer....

I can sell you a rebuilt head......when you are ready.

lol

Terry
96 Eagle Talon ESI....Daily driver

97 Eclipse.........

Nice one, Terry.

I would put the stock gear over the aftermarket gear, and re-mark the aftermarket gear to match the stock one.

Okay, how about this, I just got done looking at the stock ones and the OBX ones. I have Crower stage 2 cams in my car, so would that have anything to do with it? If I put the stock gears on the cams, the intake cam has tensionon it trying to snap back shut when I align the marks, anyone else have Crower 2's? Let me know about this because the OBX cam gears are basically lined up just like the stock ones now. Thanks guys. Let me know.

It is very common for the cam to try and rotate to a relaxed position. This is a good reason why some tool makers have a tool that holds the cam gears lined up while you are installing the belt. Bulldog clips work well too. Do what bill said remark the obx gears withthe stockers on top of them so the marks are in the same location. Paint the new marks that are accurate so you know which to use in the future.

Do not drive the car untill they are lined up correctly, that is kinda obvious.

Terry

96 Eagle Talon ESI....Daily driver

97 Eclipse.........

do you know where I can get these clips? Is this something that happens when you get the performance cams? Because my friend has a 95 nt and the cams don't try to go to the relaxed position. But on my 97 nt I have the Corwer 2's, is that why?

Also, when I get my car dyno'd, do they adjust the cams? Thanks a lot for the help.

Anybody? Need some help here.

Well my stock cams on my 97 will try to move. it all depends on the cam profile. why your stocks didnt do i have no clue. as for the clips.....they are large paper clips that are available at and office max. You know the large black spring clips....


Terry

Hi, I don't think I can use the clips, the front of the OBX cam gears are flat unlike the stock ones. Do you think I could just guesstimate the timing marks and crank marks off accordingly so that when I crank it around the marks will line up? How did you guys put on your aftermarket cam gears and get the gears to stay where they should be? Thanks for the help.

well there are a shit load of other ways to lock the gears from moving, sounds liek you just need to spend 160 for the tool and learn cheap ways later. Consult your local Snap on dealer.

terry
96 Eagle Talon ESI....Daily driver

97 Eclipse.........

You got a part number on that tool to hold aftermarket cam gears in place?

you can also go the kind of difficult way and use two wrenches. get a friend to hold the wrenches together while you put the belt on. just make sure he holds tight and keeps an eye on the belt.

Originally posted by powellds
You got a part number on that tool to hold aftermarket cam gears in place?

this is a cheapone i found on the net. I cant find the reciept of the one i got from my dealer which pisses me off. Hope i dont get audited in the next 5 years.

http://www.arizonatools.com/catalog/browse/1481-3586-3218-3328-3330

Scroll down and see the lisle dohc lock tool. The snap on one is much more elaborate but this will work for you and it is dirt cheap.

Terry

96 Eagle Talon ESI....Daily driver

97 Eclipse.........

well, I think the OBX cross-drilled/slotted rotors are okay.

as far as cam gears, it's Unorthodox all the way IMO.

this is what i have learned about adjustable cam gears. the marks are never correct. I have replaced a couple of cam gear sets on a variety of cars with a varity of companies. i have found out is that they are pretty close to what they should be. Always and i mean always compare the stock gears with the new ones. transfer the marks from the old gears to the new ones. Hell i have two sets of old 420a gears in my garage and none of them line up. I think the marks are set at the factory during the first startup. they line up everything (cams, pistons and what not) run a sensor sheck and make the marks according to the info they recieve. this is just a guess but it has worked for me. If you are every having problems with timing and new adjustable cam gears. compare the old gears to the new ones and make your adjustments. it has worked for me every time.

hmm...

i have obx exhuast,camgears, intake mainfold and they worjk fine for me never had a problem with the timing and notice more power on highend