Plastic timing belt covers question.

[bstuke]

Hey folks,

I got the motor out today and have determined that I need to replace not only the front covers, but both of the back covers on each end as they are broke and need to be replaced.

My first question is what is the best source to replace them? Go to the dealer?

My second question is how involved is it to replace the back pieces? It looks like all the pulleys need to be removed from the cams so the back piece can be replaced.

Thanks for the feedback!

[Mechie3]

Timing needs to come off to replace read covers. I get 20% off at my local dealer so I go there. Subarugenuineparts.com has good prices.

[bstuke]

Thanks!

[Wayne Presley]

cam bolts may be tight...

http://i213.photobucket.com/albums/cc175/vcpinjectionpb/20130531_145759_zps79f3d7b2.jpg (http://s213.photobucket.com/user/vcpinjectionpb/media/20130531_145759_zps79f3d7b2.jpg.html)

[Frank818]

HHAHAHAHHAHAHA!!!!!! You like that picture hey Wayne? :) I like it too!!

[bstuke]

cam bolts may be tight...

http://i213.photobucket.com/albums/cc175/vcpinjectionpb/20130531_145759_zps79f3d7b2.jpg (http://s213.photobucket.com/user/vcpinjectionpb/media/20130531_145759_zps79f3d7b2.jpg.html)600ft lbs torque...19307

[Erik W. Treves]

good luck...let me know when that doesn't work and I will show you how to get them off.

[first time builder]

come on Erik tell us how to get them off !!! ( my guess is they use red loctite) (needs some heat)
Kenny

[Ironhydroxide]

come on Erik tell us how to get them off !!! ( my guess is they use red loctite) (needs some heat)
Kenny

They do not use red loctite. you just need the correct tool to do it.

http://www.company23.com/index.php?route=product/category&path=61_60

or you can pay out the *** for a subaru specialty tools version of the same item.

[tirod]

I's assuming it's DOHC, which means to my limited knowledge solid cam gears that don't allow access to the bolts.

Potentially letting you upgrade to billet cam gears with access for the future! It's sure easy to spend other people's money. (The SOHC motor I have apparently uses cam gears with five spokes and plenty of access.)

It might be a good time to imagineer how a multipiece rear cover could work. It's done for brake shields. From the number of fasteners, I would seem to beg for some appropriate parting lines to keep from having to remove cam gears that did allow access.

I suspect that even if there was enough clearance to get a crow's foot or open end wrench behind the gear there's simply not enough room to back out the bolts.

Ok, yeah, it's hillbilly, my generation thinks about stuff like that. I can't tell you how many older guys with EFI vehicles cut a trapdoor in the truck bed or trunk. Dropping a fuel tank isn't fun. Doing it again a few years later, you really think about it. Do it right, the new owner thanks you.

Surprising to me, nobody makes these. I would think a set of high tech timing covers would be all "racer," and in various anodized colors all over the market. Here's an older thread on it: http://forums.nasioc.com/forums/showthread.php?t=1884549

Key words, plexiglass, billet, vacuum forming, fiberglass hand layup <-----that last one right there would do it. Don't forget little windows to see your billet gears.

Well sure, my practical side says it's a complete waste of money past the split cover installation benefit. Doesn't seem to stop others, tho, if I can spend your money, well sure. Always glad to help.

[Mechie3]

The hard part is the Allen key style heads sometimes strip and they're insanely tight. Adding some valve grinding compound inside the bolt head helps to prevent the key from wiggling out and rounding out the inside of the head.

[bstuke]

OK, good info. No plans to pull the heads or cams, so the cracked back ones will work fine thank you. I don't plan on driving in the rain anyway. I'll just replace the fronts..