cam gears/sprockets removal tips

[beater_legacy]

I am doing the headgaskets on my '90 non-turbo legacy and am stuck on how to get the cam gears off without a chain wrench or something similar. Can it be done?

Thanks!

[beater_legacy]

Just a quick update. I tried the big screwdriver method and broke the drivers side bolt loose but then the damn sprocket jumped to the right. I guess the valve springs are compressed when the timing marks are aligned. Anyway, now I can't get the sprocket lined up again. Should I just not worry about it and align it again when I put it back together?

[beater_legacy]

And why do you even need to remove the sprockets to get the heads off? Can't you just take it all off at once? I'm just going to replace the headgasket and put it back together.

[asc_up]

Yeah, there's no need to take the cam gears off of the heads at all if all you're doing is changing the head gaskets.

[beater_legacy]

Well that's good to hear. The manual says to do so which is why I started. Now I just need to figure out how to tighten that drivers side sprocket bolt. Thanks for your help!

[mlitz123]

ya you don't need to remove the gear unless you plan on getting the heads resurfaced.

[skid542]

The BEST wrench I've found for a cam/crank is an old timing belt segment attached to a 1"x1"x18" stick. Just make a small loop out of the belt when you attach it to the stick so it slides over the cam sproket and has enough room to wrap up 'tight'. Works everytime and costs all of 5 bucks if you have a bad/old belt lying around.

[beater_legacy]

The BEST wrench I've found for a cam/crank is an old timing belt segment attached to a 1"x1"x18" stick. Just make a small loop out of the belt when you attach it to the stick so it slides over the cam sproket and has enough room to wrap up 'tight'. Works everytime and costs all of 5 bucks if you have a bad/old belt lying around.

That's a damn good idea! How did you attach it to the pole/stick? Too bad I threw away the belt when I changed that.

[skid542]

I just attached it with several coarse drywall screws. You need to put quite a few screws in if you plan on really torqueing it, say for the crank pulley. I think I have probably 5 screws along a 10-12 inch section.

You can probably get an old belt or the cost of shipping as I'm sure people have them laying around. You may even be able to go to a mechanic's shop that services subaru's and get one out of their trash bin.