[Desert Rat]

On my spare GTV6 head, I decided to see how the camshaft comes out, with leaving the pulley in place. Well....not so easy...for one reason; that tapered end on the camshaft DID NOT want to let go! With my puller in place..and getting VERY tight...I gave a light tap on the end of my puller shaft..and BANG! IT shot off! Is this typical? I am going to be checking the intake clearances of the rebuilt engine I got with my 1983 GTV6. I hope someones sells a puller that does leave the timing belt in place(as the shop manual says is possible), and separates the camshaft without so much drama!
Thanks for any help!

 

[ghnl]

What puller did you use? I made a puller based on info posted by Alfisto Steve. Steve's photo shows both the official Alfa tool and the DIY version made from a plumbing fitting.

 

[CorseChris]

They can be a bit...dramatic when they let go, but I've certainly done cam swaps/clearance setting without removing/disturbing the belt.

I've found it's a bit easier to remove & re-fit the cam (once pulley is free and caps removed) but easing the pulleys away from the block a wee bit to improve clearance.

 

[alfaparticle]

Alternative method

I made a puller yesterday but then Richard Jemison told me of an alternative method that does not need a puller. Remove the three 7mm bolts from the pulley. Loosen the acorn nut two turns, insert a pry bar between the pulley and the head then whack the acorn nut with a hammer. It worked superbly for me.

 

[Alfar7]

Removing cam

Remove the three 7mm bolts from the pulley.

That is un-necessary, Just loosen the large acorn nut amnd put a pry bar behind the pullet to hold it. When nut is off slide the pulleys & belts forward slightly and cams can come out.
You don`t loose cam timing this way....

 

[alfaparticle]

Removing that plate gives you more room to tilt the cam shaft as you remove it.

 

[pangolin]

Removing cam


That is un-necessary, Just loosen the large acorn nut amnd put a pry bar behind the pullet to hold it. When nut is off slide the pulleys & belts forward slightly and cams can come out.
You don`t loose cam timing this way....

Does this method require removing the camshaft caps? It seems they should be removed first.
Right now I have a harbor freight puller attached, and it seems to be an extreme amount of torque. I do have a Harbor Freight 4lb hammer, so I'm contemplating the whack to the loosed acorn nut method.

 

[pangolin]

I got my sprockets off. The right side one was REALLY tight.

 

[Jim G]

Removing that plate gives you more room to tilt the cam shaft as you remove it.

Plus the oring seal usually needs to be replaced.

 

[Jim G]

View attachment 1690449
I got my sprockets off. The right side one was REALLY tight.

With the factory puller you can remove the camshaft by only having to take the round cover plates off. Leaving the rest of the belt guards on.

 

[Jim G]

Here is a close up picture of the factory puller.

For Sale - Alfa Special Tool A.3.0521 Camshaft Drive...

Selling A.3.0521 puller for the drive plate on the front of the V-6's camshaft pulley. This allows you to change the oring behind it and also allows you to be able to remove the camshaft without removing the timing belt. This is the second version. Works on the GTV-6's, Milano's and the 164's...

www.alfabb.com