Change IPD Adjustable Cam Gear Timing

Hello,

I had my IPD Adjustable Cam Gear installed by someone else, and I'm not sure how I am supposed to change the timing on it. I want to make sure I don't make it harder than it needs to be. I made an extremely crude drawing as a visual aid.



(Link if embedding the image doesn't work: https://imgur.com/K9jEE4l)

Let's say that mine is currently on -2.5, as shown by the -2.5 matching up with the notch on the circle behind the cam gear (Labeled B, not sure what that is called) & the little hole near the middle of the cam gear that aligns with -2.5 being filled by the cam shaft.

If I wanted to make mine +5, would I just pull the timing belt off, pull the gear off, and just put it back on with the +5 matching up with the hole and the cam gear wheel notch? Or would i have to also line up the notch that is in the upper left (labeled C)?

Sorry if this is a very stupid question, I just really don't want to mess up my car by throwing the timing off balance, or doing something I'm not supposed to.

Yep. If you wanted to run +5, then put the cam's dowel pin in the one with the line that goes to +5, then time the engine normally using the dot above +5 as the timing mark. Engine at TDC, that dot pointing away from the crank, put the belt on, etc etc.

tl;dr: When you pick an option, pretend that only the dowel hole and timing mark for the desired timing option exist, and treat it like a normal cam gear.

mck1117 said:

Yep. If you wanted to run +5, then put the cam's dowel pin in the one with the line that goes to +5, then time the engine normally using the dot above +5 as the timing mark. Engine at TDC, that dot pointing away from the crank, put the belt on, etc etc.

tl;dr: When you pick an option, pretend that only the dowel hole and timing mark for the desired timing option exist, and treat it like a normal cam gear.

Click to expand...

So if I was to put this into steps, you are saying that I should:

1. Remove the belt
2. Remove the cam gear
3. Line up desired timing with number with dowel pin and reinstall cam gear
4. Turn cam gear until desired timing mark lines up with TDC mark (B with C)
5. Put belt back on


Is this correct? Also when I turn the cam gear (Step 4), what should I be spinning? The actual gear? Or should i be turning the crank?

Turn the cam gear but you shouldn't need to for step 4,assuming you haven't moved the cam when you removed the belt and/or gear

Your step 4 shouldn't require much (if any) rotation, as you'll already be very close to the correct spot.

Here's the IPD instructions:
https://www.ipdusa.com/files/product/349/PI-350 ADJUSTABLE CAM GEAR INSTALL GUIDE.PDF

mck1117 said:

Your step 4 shouldn't require much (if any) rotation, as you'll already be very close to the correct spot.

Here's the IPD instructions:
https://www.ipdusa.com/files/product/349/PI-350 ADJUSTABLE CAM GEAR INSTALL GUIDE.PDF

Click to expand...

Are you saying that I should be lining up B (Cam Gear Mark) with C (TDC Mark) before I ever take off the cam gear?

If so, how do I turn the gear, and how do I make sure it doesn't turn when I am removing the gear, and reinstalling it?

What I would do...line engine to tdc, remove belt, remove cam gear, line newly installed cam gear with dowel installed towards +5, put cam gear at tdc using your cam dowel, which is at +5. reinstall belt. All the other timing gears will still be at tdc, you just have to make sure your cam gear is when you put the belt back on

Just re read others posts..looks like step by step has already been posted..my bad.

If you don't want to mess anything up. Be sure to use a torque wrench on the cam gear and tensioner fasteners. 36 ftlb for both cam gear bolt and tensioner bolt. Don't turn over the cam by the bolt on the gear. Make sure you double check to be sure the timing is correct.

Mbeas96 said:

What I would do...line engine to tdc, remove belt, remove cam gear, line newly installed cam gear with dowel installed towards +5, put cam gear at tdc using your cam dowel, which is at +5. reinstall belt. All the other timing gears will still be at tdc, you just have to make sure your cam gear is when you put the belt back on

Just re read others posts..looks like step by step has already been posted..my bad.

Click to expand...

I just want to make sure I fully understand. If I was to put the engine at TDC, doesn't that also mean the dowel would be pointing towards TDC? If so, why would I have to put the cam gear at TDC if all I am doing is removing the cam gear, and then putting it back on with the dowel pointing at +5? Wouldn't it already have +5 at TDC?

Or am I misunderstanding?

I wish I had one of those two piece cam gears, this would be so much easier.

First you are putting the crank at TDC with number one firing which is when the mark on the cam will be correct.

The cam turns at half the speed of the engine. So you put the cam mark where you set it before because that is number one firing with the crankshaft at TDC. Now you remove the belt and gear and put the gear at the correct marking for the timing you desire. Now you have set the new mark to the location of number one cylinder firing.

The crankshaft can also be at TDC when number four cylinder is firing but the cam won't be in the correct location for you to setup the timing.

When the cam gear is removed and the engine is at TDC number one firing the dowel will point up toward the mark in the plastic or valve cover depending on the engine.

After looking closely at this Cam Pulley, I do see now how it works. Set crank to TDC and cam straight up, install the pulley with the advanced or retarded number that you want lined up with the cam timing mark.