M50 cam "holder" tool - got one?

[RobPatt]

Hi, Thinking of repairing my noisy vanos with either the $250 job from Dr.Vanos.com...

or the $20 parts for the total DIY job from Beisan Systems.


So... anyone have the cam "hold it in place" tool for the cheap?

Or a creative alternative? I don't have fabrication means... so it's gotta be simple.

Cheers and thanks.
Rob.

[russiankid]

Its doable without one but it will take you some time getting the cams aligned correctly.

[Scott C]

Hi, Thinking of repairing my noisy vanos with either the $250 job from Dr.Vanos.com...

or the $20 parts for the total DIY job from Beisan Systems.


So... anyone have the cam "hold it in place" tool for the cheap?

Or a creative alternative? I don't have fabrication means... so it's gotta be simple.

Cheers and thanks.
Rob.

Just sold one on ebay for $50 ;)

[yaofeng]

You can do it without the alignment tool. You can remove the camshafts without the camshaft removal tool also.

[Dave M]

Get a straightedge/solid, straight piece of metal and lay it along the rear, square ends of the camshafts to align. I had to grind down a torx socket to fit one of the small head bolts at the timing chain cover, otherwise, all the other steps can be done without specialty tools. Oh, I used a safety pin to hold down the secondary chain tensioner.,

We have plenty of pics of this if you need a hand later. Good luck with it,

Dave

[Dave M]

On the vanos front, I've used the Besian Sytems kit for a friend's M52 and it worked very well. Worth the money.

Dave

[RobPatt]

Great, thanks Dave... finally getting ready to do this job... I think I'll get a few strips of alu from Lowes... about 1 inch wide and 1/16 thick... rivet together and trace the layout of the square end of the cam... then cut the alu and use it as a guide for keeping the cams in sync...

What can I use for the crankshaft/flywheel locking pin... just a screwdriver ?

Will do this in a month or so soon as I learn what tools I need and get another good weekend... Thx.. -Rob.

[Dave M]

Great, thanks Dave... finally getting ready to do this job... I think I'll get a few strips of alu from Lowes... about 1 inch wide and 1/16 thick... rivet together and trace the layout of the square end of the cam... then cut the alu and use it as a guide for keeping the cams in sync...

What can I use for the crankshaft/flywheel locking pin... just a screwdriver ?

Will do this in a month or so soon as I learn what tools I need and get another good weekend... Thx.. -Rob.

Don't worry about trying to lock the crank. Just be sure to have things lined up properly when you piece it back together.

Good luck and have fun,

Dave

[93 525 Paul]

Hey Rob:
you can borrow this one I made from square stock.
http://i123.photobucket.com/albums/o284/pmcdougal/LongBlock1-1.jpg
Also if you want to lock the flywheel you need a Phillips screwdriver as the hole is only about 6mm or so...

[shogun]

I am doing the single Vanos repair on my E36 M3 with a Beisan kit, I bought this here for only $92
BMW Vanos Valve Camshaft Alignment Locking Timing Tool - Samic Special Tools (http://www.samicspecialtools.com/bmw-vanos-valve-camshaft-alignment-locking-timing-tool/)
BMW Vanos Valve Camshaft Alignment Locking Timing Tool - Product Description- •BMW Single Vanos Valve Timing Kit Special Engine Tools
•Include: CAMSHAFT LOCKING FIXTURE for 4 & 6 CYLINDERS
• 1) CAMSHAFT LOCATING FIXTURE
• Aligns and holds the camshaft in position when assembling cylinder head and replacing timing chain.
• Engines: M42, M44, M50, M52, M52TU, M54, M56, S50US, S52US.
• 2) TOP DEAD CENTER PIN:
• Use to lock the flywheel at Top Dead Center when removing
• or replacing the camshafts or VANOS assemblies.
• Engines: M42, M43, M44, M50, M52, M52TU, M54, M56, M60, M62,
• M70, M73, S50B30, S50B32, S54, S62.
• 3) VANOS TURNING WRENCH:
• Use to adjust VANOS position on single VANOS engines when removing or installing.
• Engines: M50, M52, S50US, S52US.
• 4) CHAIN TENSIONER LOCK PIN:
• Locks chain tensioner during timing.
• Engines: M50, M52.

[Dave M]

Everything in that 'kit' Shogun posted, except for the actual camshaft lock, can be found in your toolbox or your junk droor. I think the locking tool I purchased was ~35$ and If I had the tools to make one like Paul, it would be much cheaper.........

Dave