1979-1982 Ford Courier or Mazda Cam Gear Nut

AchingBack · Sep 8, 2017

Somehow the nut holding my cam gear in place came off and fell into the oil pan. In the process the timing chain also broke. It is a very special hardened steel nut. It is chewed up and may be too unreliable to use.

I'm hoping by the grace of God, someone on here has one or knows where I can obtain such a rare part. If I can't find one, my truck will be worthless as is. I'll post a pic. after I get the nut from the mechanic.

Thanks,
Bob

P.S. Sorry I neglected to say the parts I need are for the 2.0 Japanese engine, not a 2.3

pmsmechanic · Sep 8, 2017

I had a friend that was a bit too enthusiastic with the impact gun and broke the nut and treads off the end of the cam. So I just told him to drill and tap the end of the cam and use a bolt and washer instead of a nut. A bit of loctite on the treads and problem solved. This would work for you too.

AchingBack · Sep 9, 2017

pmsmechanic said:
I had a friend that was a bit too enthusiastic with the impact gun and broke the nut and treads off the end of the cam. So I just told him to drill and tap the end of the cam and use a bolt and washer instead of a nut. A bit of loctite on the treads and problem solved. This would work for you too.

Thank you. I'll consider the idea if necessary. Do you think it is possible to do this with the cam installed? I'd hate to remove it. I guess the big concern is protecting from metal filings falling into the engine. It shouldn't be a problem, though.

pmsmechanic · Sep 9, 2017

Yes I think it would be possible to drill with the cam installed. Just stuff the hole with rags and lay a few magnets underneath.

Would it be possible to take the old nut to a machine shop and either have them clean it up or make you a new one?

I see the year and make in the header. Maybe someone has one laying around. I pretty sure I could get one from a wrecker that lives not too far from me.

AchingBack · Sep 9, 2017

pmsmechanic said:
Yes I think it would be possible to drill with the cam installed. Just stuff the hole with rags and lay a few magnets underneath.

Would it be possible to take the old nut to a machine shop and either have them clean it up or make you a new one?

I see the year and make in the header. Maybe someone has one laying around. I pretty sure I could get one from a wrecker that lives not too far from me.

A friend owns a machine shop. If necessary, I'll ask him about making one. In my area there is only one wrecking yard, and currently, no Couriers.

My engine is the 2.0 Japanese made.

Diamondpilot · Sep 9, 2017

AchingBack said:
A friend owns a machine shop. If necessary, I'll ask him about making one. In my area there is only one wrecking yard, and currently, no Couriers.

My engine is the 2.0 Japanese made.

Just have one made and be done with it. I have just bought a quality not and then drilled and tapped it to make something that works in hard to find stuff in the past.