360 Variator Removal tool

Hey all

I've searched around but didn't really find too much. Unfortuantely i have a 360 that still has the original exhaust variators/phasers that need replacing. The factory phaser wrench tool AV 3131 doesn't seem to be easily attainable from a quick search. Seems like its all out of stock or special order with no real date of when it would be available. I'm more so worried about torquing the variator back to spec than removing it.

With that being said, aside from custom fabricating something with some bar stock and threaded rods or dowels and welding here, does anyone have anything they've found that works easily/well or should I just go straight to fabricating something?

Thanks!

 

Do some research on whether you need to replace them at all. I found varying opinions.

 

My VIN definitely falls within the range it stated in the campaign. Also, cam seals are leaking so i'm going to be replacing those anyway. I'd rather error on the side of caution and just replace them so I don't have to worry.

I'm guessing by your response, some owners have driven pretty hard on original variators that fell under the campaign and never had problems?!

 

If it's just about the tool for the variator, I've attached a drawing, a few pictures and a few technical updates. The variators have left-hand threads.

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Before you go through all the trouble and expense of replacing functioning variators, consider this:

After purchasing my 360, which clearly falls within this campaign and lacks the block stamp of the work having been done in the past, I did some research on updated examples. Many of the most recent complaints of catastrophic failure caused by fatigue in the variators came from UPDATED CARS. Someone does preventative maintenance by updating the variators, which purportedly have thicker aluminum or metal in areas of high torque, then finds that the new, updated part fails. Now, it's true that I may be hearing from the vocal minority, not the silent majority, as the people who have replaced parts that fail are much more likely to make their stories known, but regardless it proves that this invasive procedure doesn't always prevent disaster.

My car now has 80K++ miles on it with the original variators and I've elected to leave them alone. It's true that if the variators fail then that would suck, but after what I learned, I'd rather not poke the bear.

 

If I was going to use the car as a track car I might consider the update… but club drive street car not so much,

but like everything your results may vary.

gl

 

Thanks for the drawing. Super helpful.

 

Anyone have pics of the cam locking tool bolts to rear of cam to undo the variators?. TIA

 

Better to just remove the cams and put them in a vice with rubber on the jaws and remove the variators.

The plates that bolt to the rear can be seen in the shop manual, but heard a few have had them slip and chew up the end of the cams being held when trying to remove the variators.

 

Yeah it happed to friends car. I need to buy a new vice.
Cheers

 

I hadn't removed my cam shafts and had built the tool myself to fix them. Unfortunately I don't have a drawing with dimensions, but I'm happy to measure them at the weekend.

Now I only have a few pictures of the tool installed, but I'm happy to post pictures of the tool removed this evening (German time).

I have loaned out the tool several times and so far it has always worked without damaging the cam shafts.
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If you don't mind. Thanks

 

So two sleeves to capture the 21mm flats at the ends of the cam shafts.
One plate to bolt to the two sleeves, and to the two studs from the head to keep the whole thing aligned.

Great tool.

 

Remove cams, replace variators, reinstall and degree. I really don’t understand the resistance to this method. In my opinion The only reason to do the Ferrari method is if you are paying technicians for warranty work.

I can’t verify, but I hypothesize that some of the failures of the updated variators may be caused by the extreme force put on the camshafts in situ due to Ferraris “quick” method of removing the old variators while only stabilizing the very end of the shaft. There’s a lot of torsion there and while I believe the shafts are strong, everything has a breaking point.

As far as the removal tool, there is one available that is meant for a Fiat? I have the part number at home I will try to find it tonight.

 

Yeah, i f

Interesting. Yes, please post it whenever you find it or can. Would be interesting to see how readily available it is.

 

I would also do it today as RedNeck suggested.

The camshaft torsion is a point, but I don't see it as a big problem, since roughly the same forces act when loosening the cam on the shaft in the opposite direction as when tightening the variator. Loosen approx. 200nm, fasten 160nm.

But...:

The camshaft is not 100% fixed with the fixing tool. Then camshaft timing (?) has to be readjusted anyway. The valve cover has to be removed anyway. In addition, removing the camshafts has the advantage of checking the front plain bearings and hydraulic tappets.

A few pictures of the half bearings of my camshafts after about 100,000 km (62,000 miles), and old vs. new. Plus 8 defective hydraulic lifters. I replaced my variators before 40,000 km.


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