Help with cam timing

Posted By: Erryn Godwin

Help with cam timing - July 26, 2008 03:04 pm UTC

First off I just want to say 'hi' to everyone, this is my first post on Club DSM, I've read a lot of useful information on here!

I recently acquired my first DSM in June, a '93 Laser RS Turbo AWD with a 6 bolt swap. The previous owner sold the car because he was frustrated that he couldn't get it to idle properly. He dumped over $3,000 in parts and labour trying to get it right. Anyway turns out that all it is is that the cam timing is off. I noticed that my boost gauge wasn't showing a lot of vac at idle, so I lined everything up, and sure enough the marks don't line up. The car runs perfect other than idle, which is quite lopey, and if I punch it, it has no top end whatsover, it goes flat around 4,000rpm. Compression is 150psi across all 4.

Anyway, I'm somewhat mechanically inclined....I've done a lot of things with my CRX including a multi-point injection swap, however I've never tackled a timing belt on a DOHC car, and it looks quite tricky on DSM's. I also don't have the tensioner tool and don't really want to use my battery tie down.

SO, if anyone is in the Hamilton, Ontario area and wants to help a fellow DSM fan out, I really need my car re-timed so it'll motivate me to finish it. I'll throw you a case of beer and $100 if anyone is willing to help out.

Thanks guys!
Posted By: Tim Grechin

Re: Help with cam timing - July 26, 2008 03:08 pm UTC

Literate and not a broke DSM owner. Someone help this man out. I would if I live in or near the Hammer-town.
Posted By: Andrew Bienhaus

Re: Help with cam timing - July 26, 2008 03:21 pm UTC

What part of Hamilton?
Posted By: Andrew Bienhaus

Re: Help with cam timing - July 26, 2008 03:24 pm UTC

...and have you bought "the kit" yet?
Posted By: Joe Esmama

Re: Help with cam timing - July 26, 2008 06:30 pm UTC

I dont mind helping out but ive never had the chance to tackle/changing the timing belt. So i dont think im much use to you.
Posted By: Erryn Godwin

Re: Help with cam timing - July 26, 2008 11:57 pm UTC

Thanks for the replies so far guys. I'm on the west mountain in Hamilton, almost in Ancaster...

As far as "the kit" goes, I'm not entirely sure what that is...however, the car doesn't need a new timing belt/tensioner/balance shaft belt if that's what you mean. The previous owner had the timing belt done just before spring. The car was sitting for about a year prior to that, hence why the owner couldn't narrow the problem down and didn't think the shop could screw up the timing belt install. It has had maybe 2,000km put on it since then and it's all been from me driving it to work and back in June. The car is now off the road so I can work on it. I'm rocking a '98 Plymouth Breeze as a daily driver, hahaha.
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