Researching Aux Cam modification. Does anyone have the broken pics from this old thread saved somewhere?

[IlChengis]

Hello everyone.
I just bought a 1981 Spider and I have been spending hours lurking this forum and other sites/resources every single day.
Learning a TON.

I am getting ready to do oil pan and timing belt (doing them together due to the seal cover connected to the pan).

After finding this thread and learning that the aux shaft can be removed without pulling the engine, I decided I am going to pull it and cut the lobe to make the engine fully non-interference.

I have searched and studied pretty much all of the timing belt and aux shaft related threads on this Forum, but unfortunately I keep on hitting dead links/broken pictures. This thread specifically contains critical pictures that would help me understand the aux shaft modification process, but the pictures are dead and the OP's last activity was in 2010 (I wanted to PM him).

Has anyone saved the pictures from that thread?

I will be very relieved once I have oil pan, timing belt done and aux lobe removed, because it means I can start focusing on other maintenance and prep the car for paint.

Thanks in advance!

[So Cal Mark]

cut off the shaft in front of the fuel pump lobe, tap the hole in the shaft for a pipe plug. Use thread sealer on the threads of the pipe plug

[IlChengis]

Thanks Mark. It seems simple, just hoped to see those pics.

In any case, I guess I'll post here once I cross that bridge to make sure I am doing things right. Based on my 1st link above, seems like the aux shaft can be pulled from the front of the block, right? I assume I need to remove the radiator to get enough clearance? Any tips on pulling the shaft?

Thanks.

[grrrdot]

I did the mod on an engine years ago. I looked and I have pics of the rods, pistons, crank but didn't get a shot of the aux shaft.
It is as simple as Mark says. I used an angle grinder to cut off the eccentric lobe and then used a tap, red locktite and a grub screw.

-G

[vandor]

>seems like the aux shaft can be pulled from the front of the block, right?

Yes. Rotate it as you start to pull it, so it more easily disengages from the oil pump gear.
Do you have a plan on how to remove it's gear? You need to do that to access the seal cover for the aux shaft.

>I assume I need to remove the radiator to get enough clearance?

You don't have to, but is sure makes the timing belt change and this job easier.

[IlChengis]

Thanks for the advice, guys. Replies inline:

It is as simple as Mark says. I used an angle grinder to cut off the eccentric lobe and then used a tap, red locktite and a grub screw.

Great, thanks for confirming G.

Yes. Rotate it as you start to pull it, so it more easily disengages from the oil pump gear.

Hey Csaba... I've been pestering Ramzi over on Facebook, trying to make a list of parts to get for my tune-up (tell him I say hi ). Thanks for the tip on removal. I assume putting the shaft back after modification is just the same? Rotate as I put it back?

Do you have a plan on how to remove it's gear? You need to do that to access the seal cover for the aux shaft.

I found some great tips in some of the threads I read... I think I'll try to use the old timing belt to hold the gear (will try using a filter or chain wrench) and loosen by hand. If you have a different approach you recommend, I am all ears.

You don't have to, but is sure makes the timing belt change and this job easier.

Great. I need to flush the coolant system anyway, so I will pull the radiator. That way I can clean the area around it too.