Hello all,

My mechanic is changing my timing belt and water pump next week, and we are looking at exactly what we need for "special tools".


As for as I can tell there are three items:

1. Intake cam locking pin.
2. Exhaust cam locking pin.
^I have read that I could use allen wrenches instead for these. What sizes do I need for the job?
3. Cam gear locking tool - I see that many people have fabricated their own.

Am I missing anything ?

Thanks

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'06 CRD
GDE Full Torque Eco Tune
EHM
Upgraded Mopar Fuel Head
215/85/16 Toyo M-55's

There's a pin you insert through the passenger side engine flange, towards the transmission, into the flywheel that locks it at 90 degrees ATDC: VM.1089

https://millerspecialtools.spx.com/Detail.aspx?id=1312&gid=7

Most use a 6mm allen if I recall correctly - the service manual actually describes it along with how to make sure it's aligned correctly. I picked up one on eBay (Miller Tool Man is a decent source), they're just over $10.

My opinion after seeing folks try things both ways is that unless you're a fairly adept mechanic, get the right tools and use them. You can get the cam lock tool and cam locking pins from GDE - put 'em on your Visa and all but $30 is refunded when you return them.

Peace of mind... not expensive.

Others have devised their own cam locking pins by grinding down bolts and either used similar cam locking tools or fab'd their own - both successfully and not.

Cost of failure - about $750 parts for new rockers & engine cover gasket along with the additional time and labor.

You decide.

Mark

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2005 Liberty CRD
2004.5 Cummins 5.9L TD, F1s, NV5600 6-speed in a '93 GMC Suburban

Do not under any circumstances try to use allen wrenches as a substitute for the cam locking pins. While they "might" work there is at least one forum member who trashed his rockers doing that. Best bet is to rent the tools from GDE unless there is a local member willing to loan you the Miller tools. Yes cam pins can be made, I'm not sure I would, see http://www.beesvillebeefarm.com/jeep.html for an example

As to the flywheel pin. The Miller tool is ok but may be hard to insert if the threads on the engine are dirty. The 2005 FSM (pg 9-243) shows how to use a 6mm allen wrench as a flywheel pin. It's a good idea to "tap" around the hole in the flywheel to make sure you are putting the allen wrench in a smalll flywheel hole not one of the larger cutouts.

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Sold to LOST member my 05 Ltd, GDE Stg II turbo + TCM tune, SunCoast TC w. Transgo kit, Steiger window regulators, Samcos, Fumoto valve, 2nd gen filter head with Lub. Spec. bleeder, Hayden clutch & 11 blade fan, inverted spare, P-1 battery, BF Goodrich Long Trail TAs, Etecno1 glow plugs, timing belt at 50K miles/8 yrs

I have the machine shop tools to make the locking pins, and have custom built specialty tools many times before, but it was less of a hassle to buy them from the guy's selling them on eBay this time

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2006 Pearl Green CRD
Magnaflow 2 1/2" Cat Back
KJ Extra Leg Room Brackets, Carter Lift Pump, V6 Airbox, ORM
Fuel cooler, Oil Separator, Progard 7
Gauges EGT Boost Trans Temp Oil Pres, Michelin LXT AT2 245 70 R16
7,000# Draw Tight hitch, PML EX Deep Trans Pan
Centrifuge, SunCoast, Transgo, RAM TCM, InMotion Stage 2
Wife's 99 TDI VW Beetle