News: Putting FUN and FRIENDLINESS, FIRST into owning and learning about AMC small bodied cars, primarily Eagles, Spirits and Concords as well as vehicles built in AMC's Mexican subsidiary, VAM.

The AMC Eaglepedia can now be accessed using the buttons found below  This is a comprehensive ever growing archive of information, tips, diagrams, manuals, etc. for the AMC Eagle and other small bodied AMC cars. 

Also a button is now available for our Face Book Group page.


Welcome to the AMC Eagles Nest.  A new site under "old" management -- so welcome to your new home for everything related to AMC Eagles, Spirits and Concords along with opportunities to interact with other AMC'ers.  This site will soon be evolving to look different than it has and we will be incorporating new features we hope you will find useful, entertaining and expand your AMC horizons.

You can now promote your topics at your favorite social media site by clicking on the appropriate icon (top upper right of the page) while viewing the topic you wish to promote.


  • March 28, 2024, 10:25:55 AM

Login with username, password and session length

Author Topic: Iron Duke Timing Gear Questions  (Read 2948 times)

0 Members and 1 Guest are viewing this topic.

Offline scotc1t

  • Hatchling
  • *
  • Posts: 4
  • Thumbs Up 0
Iron Duke Timing Gear Questions
« on: April 12, 2019, 07:42:56 PM »
Hello!

I am hoping for some more advice on my sons 82 SX4 (113K miles).  It will not start and we are confident it is the timing gear (although the mechanic we took it to also thinks the cam could have broken).  The car was driving fine up until the point the usual clackety noise of the engine noise seemed to get significantly worse and then upon attempting to restart it would not.  Then we determined it had no spark and once the mechanic pulled the distributor, etc. he determined the cam was no longer turning.  I am hoping someone can help with a few questions:

If it is the timing gear, is it feasible to replace the gear without removing the cam?  If so what is the best way to get the gear off and get the new gear onto the cam?

The mechanic we are working with is reluctant to tear the engine down enough to determine if it is the gear or the cam as he isn't sure he feels confident he can get the new gear on properly since the service manuals call for it to be pressed on with the cam out of the car.  I have found lots of info with guys replacing the gear without removing the cam with various later Chevy vehicles but none on Eagles.

It seems like this is a common issue with Iron Dukes so any advice and additional information would be greatly appreciated.  The car ran fine, didn't burn oil or smoke and thus we really hate to consider a complete rebuild or swap just for a worn gear.

Thanks for any help!

Offline AMC of Houston

  • The only thing we learn from history is that we don't learn from history.
  • Global Moderator
  • Eagle Sundaancer
  • *****
  • Posts: 893
  • Thumbs Up 86
    • American Motors Club of Houston
Re: Iron Duke Timing Gear Questions
« Reply #1 on: April 12, 2019, 09:22:33 PM »
Its probably the cam gear, as they are made of some sort of bakelite concoction - might as well be cardboard!   

It isn't a whole lot of work to get the timing cover off and see if its the gear (maybe your mechanic doesn't really want to work on your Bird, and is making excuses).   It also isn't hard to get the cam out - yeah, its a bit of work time-wise; but not hard work.

I'd remove the cam just to make sure its done right - and get the gear-to-block clearance correctly set per the TSM.
George G.
'81 Eagle Sundancer
'85 Eagle Waggie
1960 1902 Rambler Replica
'64 American
'70 AMX (Big Bad Blue), '70 AMX (White)
'77 Gremlin
'78 Pacer Coupe, '78 Pacer Wagon
'79 Pacer Wagon
'73 Jensen Interceptor
'86 Audi 5000 Turbo
'98 Aston Martin DB7
'09 Nissan Titan
'10 Nissan Maxima

Offline scotc1t

  • Hatchling
  • *
  • Posts: 4
  • Thumbs Up 0
Re: Iron Duke Timing Gear Questions
« Reply #2 on: April 13, 2019, 12:38:34 AM »
Thanks George.  So just to confirm you can get the cam out without pulling the engine out of the car?

Offline AMC of Houston

  • The only thing we learn from history is that we don't learn from history.
  • Global Moderator
  • Eagle Sundaancer
  • *****
  • Posts: 893
  • Thumbs Up 86
    • American Motors Club of Houston
Re: Iron Duke Timing Gear Questions
« Reply #3 on: April 13, 2019, 03:44:54 PM »
You bet.  Just have to disassemble most of the stuff in front of the engine - radiator, condenser (if A/C car), and maybe the bumper and grille (cam is kinda down low!).

Like I said; time-consuming, but not that hard.

You have a TSM?
George G.
'81 Eagle Sundancer
'85 Eagle Waggie
1960 1902 Rambler Replica
'64 American
'70 AMX (Big Bad Blue), '70 AMX (White)
'77 Gremlin
'78 Pacer Coupe, '78 Pacer Wagon
'79 Pacer Wagon
'73 Jensen Interceptor
'86 Audi 5000 Turbo
'98 Aston Martin DB7
'09 Nissan Titan
'10 Nissan Maxima

Offline TheBirdman

  • huffs gear oil
  • Eagle DL
  • ***
  • Posts: 173
  • Thumbs Up 12
  • that noise? that ll go away.
Re: Iron Duke Timing Gear Questions
« Reply #4 on: April 15, 2019, 11:11:12 AM »
Heh, good thing the ol iron duke isnt an interference motor
83 eagle wagon 4.0

 

SMF spam blocked by CleanTalk