Cam gears for V6. Add power AND mpg

maybe ill look into that later once I get her up and running.

 

I just finally installed my gears. @mightytacoman your instructions on page 1 didn’t work for me. The link with orange paint on the back would never line up at all so I followed URD’s instructions, like so:

then I swapped out the old for the new obviously using the new key ways (LOL, I actually first used the OEM on the LH bank before catching myself ). Oh yeah, getting those 17mm bolts of was way harder than I thought. Also, I didn’t take the spark plugs out. I still might and do a compression check just because but the engine was easy enough to turn by hand.
Here are pics of the new retards installed:

Haven’t fired her up yet. Still working on cleaning the upper and lower intake manifolds

 

What year is your truck? Curious if thats the difference. The write up is for pre 12+ trucks.

 

2007

 

ok thats not in then but good to know. I should be swapping mine this weekend. How was it breaking the cam gears off? Planning to have a buddy help out.

 

Well, harder than I thought. Was close to sacrificing a wrench and welding on a rod for leverage but tried one last time (with double wrench trick) and it came loose. Help is nice but probably better to do it yourself because you need to feel and counter your torque with the other hand on the wrench holding the cam shaft in place so you don’t stretch the chain.

 

Makes sense, sounds like you just need some massive leverage then if you go at it solo.

 

Posted somewhere before, but here's 2.5 ft of 2" square pipe I used to sleeve over my 17mm box wrench to break 'em free. I usually wrench by myself and with this amount of leverage, they didn't stand a chance. Total non-issue.

 

I should edit page 1. The directions do work but in order to get the main chain timing marks to line up with the timing links AND the secondary chain links to line up with the timing marks at the same time- you might have to turn the engine over 50+ times. I would say focus on getting the secondary chain links to line up with timing marks correctly and not worry about the main chain timing links. The write up works for all 1grfe engines. It just doesn't include removing the secondary air injection systems on 2012+ engines.

 

Some of these engines didn't come timed correctly from the factory too

 

Well that’s the opposite of what I did. If the motor is timed correctly the alignment from the URD pic I posted above should occur for every second time you align the timing mark of the crank pulley with the zero mark. Once it is in that orientation you can change the gears. Or am I missing anything?

 

That would work yes.

 

I used this:

$23 TEKTON 17 x 19 mm Long Flex Ratcheting Box End Wrench | WRN77113

https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B01F512HQS/ref=ppx_yo_dt_b_search_asin_title?ie=UTF8&psc=1

and this

$40 GEARWRENCH 12 Pt. Ratcheting Combination Wrench, 24mm - 9124

https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0002NYDAI/ref=ppx_yo_dt_b_asin_title_o02_s02?ie=UTF8&psc=1

and i was able to break the bolts lose by myself..

 

Thanks I have similar gear already I was going to give it a try with.

 

you do have to put a little ass into it but you'll get it..

 

yah for sure. I will have to figure out the leverage point.

 

removing the Secondary is where I am stuck right now. that shit is a pain.

 

Do NOT remove it. You want to take out the tensioner by pulling it up and back. That will give you enough slack. You can also wiggle the exhaust cam back and forth a little to help (also when aligning the pin when you install the new gears).
If you remove the chain from the bigger gear or even slip teeth your valve timing will be out of whack

 

sorry I mean the secondary air to get to the last bolt on the passenger side. What I pain. I got it out finally but man those emissions are a pain in more way then one.

 

That’s why you’ve been advised to turn it off w HP and install an earlier RH bank valve cover while it’s already off.
The good news is that taking the RH cover off is like half the work of the LH side