Cutting the timing cover tool

DogT · Jul 9, 2010

Got the damaged timing cover. Started whacking at it with the sawsall and a metal blade, real tough. Can I take the oxy/acetylene torch to it without warping it too much? Never cut AL with the torch, but it cuts ferris materials real nice.

Dave
69S

chris plant · Jul 9, 2010

hi dog,in a word,no dont try it,for a start unlike ferrous metal you cant see when ally is about to melt,so you end up just blowing holes in it

rvich · Jul 9, 2010

If you can do it with straight cuts, use a carbide skill saw blade.

DogT · Jul 9, 2010

I've got a carbide blade, I'll try that.

Thanks,
Dave
69S

Ron L · Jul 9, 2010

A cheap band saw with a fine tooth blade (non-ferrous metal) cuts the cover like butter. It also comes in handy in cutting aluminum angle for home-built heim joint type headsteady. :wink:

panorton · Jul 10, 2010

i used a holesaw in a driilpress. worked very well

bracebridgestbham · Jul 10, 2010

Hole saw in drillpress ? brilliant idea !

RennieK · Jul 10, 2010

Take your time and don't try to get it without spending a little sweat. Mine was done with mostly a hand hack saw (with blade on a 45' angle) and I did more cutting than most types or versions. Here was my experience:

lesson-making-intermediate-shaft-support-tool-t4672.html

grandpaul · Jul 10, 2010

ludwig said:
Wouldn't it be easier to make something like this :

Anyone who did that, shoud have made 25 or 50 of them and had them on the market. That person would probably be on thier third batch by now, on new equipment paid for from thier efforts. (okay, the last part may be a bit of a stretch)

Nice.

pete.v · Jul 10, 2010

Draw a line in the shape you want to cut out. Drill holes along that line and then cut it out with a jig saw with a metal cutting blade. Finish to suit with a sanding wheel.

rvich · Jul 10, 2010

Ludwig,
The tool overlaid on the background with that breather = framable art.

pete.v · Jul 10, 2010

ludwig said:
Wouldn't it be easier to make something like this :

One might think so. But this must also be an alignment tool and be in "perfect" relationship to a timing cover for cam chain adjustment, which is what most of the people need it for, rather than just a support tool for removing the cam nut. Unless, of course, that's all you need it for. As we all know, the slightest deviation can be desasterous to the valvetrain/topend/bottomend.

That being said, I'll take one! I love the red.

RennieK · Jul 10, 2010

Way to go Ludwig! Simple, effective and it saves timing covers from butcherous desperadoes. Easy to find around the shop too.

rvich · Jul 10, 2010

You've got a steadier hand than I. I would be afraid I would end up with it tack welded to my shaft! I once managed to weld a VW header to the rear of the body attempting a similar job, the girl I was doing the project for was unimpressed.

Hobot · Jul 10, 2010

I'd just do by hayseed hack saw or take to powered hacksaw at welding shop.
Here's a cover that's been cut for iD of how its been done by someone
before I got it.

DogT · Jul 26, 2010

I finally got around to cutting the cover, the temperature stayed below 90 today. Used a 3/8" drill to whack away most of the metal and then took a hack saw to it and then a horse shoe rasp to clean it up a bit. Not clean, but it works. Not worried about the magneto area, so didn't do that. I don't know why the sawsall with the metal blade just wouldn't go through it. Hack saw was much quicker. Anyhow, it's done.

Dave
69S

Danno · Jul 26, 2010

DogT said:
I finally got around to cutting the cover, the temperature stayed below 90 today. Used a 3/8" drill to whack away most of the metal and then took a hack saw to it and then a horse shoe rasp to clean it up a bit. Not clean, but it works. Not worried about the magneto area, so didn't do that. I don't know why the sawsall with the metal blade just wouldn't go through it. Hack saw was much quicker. Anyhow, it's done.

Dave
69S

Aluminum tends to ball up in a saw blade or file, and when that happens, the balled-up material acts like bearings and holds the cutting teeth away from the piece being cut.

mattfitz · Jul 28, 2010

When using a cut timing cover to support the layshaft, while removing the cam nut, what is the best way to "lock" the engine? An engine that is fully assembled and in a complete bike.

I have to replace the cam nut on my '68, as the splines that drive the tach drive are damaged. I have the new nut and a cut timing cover too.

swooshdave · Jul 28, 2010

mattfitz said:
When using a cut timing cover to support the layshaft, while removing the cam nut, what is the best way to "lock" the engine? An engine that is fully assembled and in a complete bike.

Put in gear and apply rear brake?

mattfitz · Jul 28, 2010

Thanks Swooshdave, that is what I thought. kinda the only way I can think of, just wanted to be sure there wasn't something I was missing or neglecting to consider.