M42club.com - Home of the BMW E30/E36 318i/iS

DISCUSSION => Engine + Driveline => Topic started by: rfritz on November 17, 2006, 08:09:38 PM

Title: Crank Positioning Tools
Post by: rfritz on November 17, 2006, 08:09:38 PM
Does anyone know where to get a M42 crank positioning tool? The one theat would hold the cams during a timing chain change? I saw one in BMP, but it is $350+/- last time I checked.
Title: Crank Positioning Tools
Post by: rfritz on November 17, 2006, 08:26:13 PM
Nevermind - I found what I was looking for...
Title: Crank Positioning Tools
Post by: rfritz on November 17, 2006, 08:36:56 PM
In case anyone wanted to know where to get the tool -

http://shoptoolsshoptools.com/shopexd.asp?id=1012
Title: Crank Positioning Tools
Post by: 2002maniac on November 18, 2006, 04:48:46 AM
ouch, that's expensive!  Also completely unnecessary in my opinion.
Title: Crank Positioning Tools
Post by: rfritz on November 18, 2006, 01:06:33 PM
So it is possible to do the timing chain and components without this tool? I just want to make sure I don't move anything during the work.
Title: Crank Positioning Tools
Post by: 2002maniac on November 18, 2006, 01:31:51 PM
yes.  I just make sure the flats on the rear of the cams are aligned with a straight edge before taking everything apart.  Line them up again when you put it back together.
Title: Cam alignment.
Post by: D. Clay on November 18, 2006, 04:21:32 PM
From bmwman91:
The cam holding tool was ghetto as well...not bad for a vice, framing hammer and hack saw.                                                                                                                                   Attached Images                                           (http://www.m42club.com/forums/attachment.php?attachmentid=414&stc=1&d=1157768450)


Maybe we could get some of these posted to a/the DIY section. Quite a few things come up often. For this beleive it or not I searched under "hack saw".
Title: Crank Positioning Tools
Post by: ak96ss on November 18, 2006, 05:16:13 PM
Catalyst racing makes that tool (http://www.catalystracing.net) for $45 out of some pretty thick aluminum.  I have one, put a post about in the thread regarding specialty tools.