Timing Cover - Better Options

[tartan18]

Here is what I did with my cam cover. I used a hand finish saw (small tooth).





Each piece has two points of contact (no vibrations). This gives me the chance to remove the covers without having to drain the coolant to change the timing belt. Works for me.

[RRoller123]

That is a damned good idea. Putting on the winter list. And no vibration/rattles at all?

[spiderrey]

Maybe Its just me, but I dont see how that solves the coolant problem.

[johndemar]

Maybe Its just me, but I dont see how that solves the coolant problem.

Same here. How do you not have to remove the hose to the head to change the timing belt?
Although it's not yet 6 AM and I'm just working on the first cup of coffee.

[RRoller123]

I believe that you can lift it straight up over the coolant housing after pulling the 2 bolts.

[spiderrey]

WHAT?

[RRoller123]

The idea is to be able to get the timing belt cover off without removing the coolant housing a the top front of the engine, and thereby avoid losing a bunch of coolant and generally creating a big mess. Splitting the cover as in the pic allows you to do that.

[tartan18]

Exactly right RR.

[twincamspit]

Absolutely! That's pretty similar to Daniel Wilson's who runs his with just the lower piece fitted, but it is possible to refit the top half without having to remove anything. Definitely the better design for a split.
I'll attach a photo if I can work out how!

I'll send copies of these pics to Revival Motorsport, seems to me that the best option would be a cast alloy version based on the original, but with the option of having it cut like these.

Thanks for sharing

[RRoller123]

Wonder if there is some sort of "H" shaped gasket that could mate the two halves to stop rattling/keep rigid? Or maybe just cut it so there is an 1/8" gap along the seam?

[twincamspit]

http://s192.photobucket.com/user/twinca ... sort=3&o=0

[twincamspit]

Wonder if there is some sort of "H" shaped gasket that could mate the two halves to stop rattling/keep rigid? Or maybe just cut it so there is an 1/8" gap along the seam?

Clear silicon bathroom sealant? Or Aquarium glue maybe?
Easy enough to remove cleanly but would act as a flexible invisible buffer.

[seabeelt]

That solution gets the timing belt "cover" off, but not the belt, so while it might be OK for doing adjustment on variable cam pulleys, it doesn't help the least in changing the timing belt itself other than being able to pull the cover without splitting the gasket joint. Still need to pull coolant hoses to change the belt. So, I suppose not having to redo the gasket might be a plus, it's probably the same amount of work to pull two hoses as to replace a 50 cent gasket (even cheaper if you know how to make your own)
R/

[twincamspit]

UPDATE: Estimate from Revival Motorsport - will be approx 4. hours work so around £120 each to hand-make these in aluminium.

The idea of a cast version ended up too expensive for small numbers, tooling would be around £2000 - so these will be hand-made from sheet aluminium, which will polish up nicely.

Revival's welding is very neat and top quality, for examples see https://www.facebook.com/revivalmotorsport

They are going to make a prototype at the end of December / start of January, based on the taller 1800/2L block (the earlier engines are not quite as tall) with reinforcement for the split line.
I will post photos as soon as I receive them.

For those still interested, who has a 159x/1756/2L engine and who has the earlier 1438/1608 engine?

[cyborg7]

I originally posted this in the wrong section (under cosmetics, engine bay photos), but I meant for it to be here - to give another vote for keeping the yellow cover. I think with the magneti marelli sticker that I got off ebay it now looks pass-able.