Vic's Cam gear won't fit?

CnC79X19

CnC79X19

True Classic
Wondering if anyone else experienced an adjustable cam gear from Vic's not fitting their SOHC 1500? It won't fit over the cam sleeve or even the positioning pin. The bore is too small for each. Even went as far as removing the positioning pin from another 1500 cam on a bench and tried to fit it over the sleeve on it but still no go? Any advice? Already tried to contact Vic's
 
IIRC Vick's had a run of adjustable cam cogs that were incorrectly manufactured by their supplier and the discrepancy was so small it was not noticed until customers reported the problem. Not sure when that was (maybe 12-18 months ago?), and not sure if the issue you are now experiencing is that same issue.....did you just receive the item, or have you had it for a while and are just now getting around to installing?
 
Dan Sarandrea (Phila) said:
IIRC Vick's had a run of adjustable cam cogs that were incorrectly manufactured by their supplier and the discrepancy was so small it was not noticed until customers reported the problem. Not sure when that was (maybe 12-18 months ago?), and not sure if the issue you are now experiencing is that same issue.....did you just receive the item, or have you had it for a while and are just now getting around to installing?
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Ordered it 16 days ago. This kinda peeves me now hearing this. Now here we sit with an engine that we want to install 2 days from now and have a defective cam pulley that they were aware of and still sent all the way to Canada through customs? Not only this, the crank gear we purchased is for a 1050 Ritmo and not a SOHC 1500 as advertised? Now entering this I've just changed from peeved to pissed.
 
I ordered the "Black" version of the cam pulley from Vick Auto a few weeks ago and it fits fine. I will look in my bins. I think I may have a spare used crank gear.
 
Be careful fitting tight aluminum parts over steel, it's easy to get it cocked and gall the aluminum. The description of the cam cog at Vick's says it is has a hard anodized finish, maybe the anodizing process narrowed the opening by a thousandth, making the fit more snug that you would expect. Andrew may recommend kissing the inner bore with some fine sandpaper or emery to open it up just a smidge.

Or, if you can safely heat the cam cog without ruining the finish (boiling water?), heating it up might expand it to where it will drop in place.

Just some ideas, all of which are superceded by whatever instructions are given by Andrew @ Vick's.
 
phillips82 said:
It's Vick. With a K.

There isn't a problem. It is just a tight fit. Sorry it isn't sloppy and loose.
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Really? This is your response? Not exactly what a customer who has spent lots of money with a company wants to receive from them. Nice way to resolve a problem, impressive. This cam pulley might fit with a press and an appropriate sized die if it didn't distort first? Also, this doesn't explain receiving a completely different numbered crankshaft gear than I ordered either. Tell you what Vic with a "K", I'll simply take the gear to a machine shop and have it properly sized, eat that cost and also eat the cost of the wrong crank gear you guys sent as well. I realize that we're just a couple of people way north of you trying hard like everyone else to restore one of these cars and our business is a very small portion of what you guys bring in but perhaps a lesson in customer relations should be in order for you. Thanks for all that you've sent us so far. It's been a huge help being able to purchase brand new items instead of having to rebuild so I'm thankful for that as well. Unfortunate because a simple response to my emails could have corrected all this.
Regards Cliff
 
Dan Sarandrea (Phila) said:
Be careful fitting tight aluminum parts over steel, it's easy to get it cocked and gall the aluminum. The description of the cam cog at Vick's says it is has a hard anodized finish, maybe the anodizing process narrowed the opening by a thousandth, making the fit more snug that you would expect. Andrew may recommend kissing the inner bore with some fine sandpaper or emery to open it up just a smidge.

Or, if you can safely heat the cam cog without ruining the finish (boiling water?), heating it up might expand it to where it will drop in place.

Just some ideas, all of which are superceded by whatever instructions are given by Andrew @ Vick's.
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Thanks Dan appreciate it.
 
CnC79X19 said:
Really? This is your response? Not exactly what a customer who has spent lots of money with a company wants to receive from them. Nice way to resolve a problem, impressive. This cam pulley might fit with a press and an appropriate sized die if it didn't distort first? Also, this doesn't explain receiving a completely different numbered crankshaft gear than I ordered either. Tell you what Vic with a "K", I'll simply take the gear to a machine shop and have it properly sized, eat that cost and also eat the cost of the wrong crank gear you guys sent as well. I realize that we're just a couple of people way north of you trying hard like everyone else to restore one of these cars and our business is a very small portion of what you guys bring in but perhaps a lesson in customer relations should be in order for you. Thanks for all that you've sent us so far. It's been a huge help being able to purchase brand new items instead of having to rebuild so I'm thankful for that as well. Unfortunate because a simple response to my emails could have corrected all this.
Regards Cliff
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As another person stated, "it fits fine."

For the crank gear, the label lists another car it also fits. Lots of parts fit multiple cars. Sorry for the confusion.
 
From the sounds of it, the buyer says he had attempted to email the seller multiple times but received no response; "Unfortunate because a simple response to my emails could have corrected all this."
Given that, and the less than friendly/helpful reply to the seller's post here ("Sorry it isn't sloppy and loose"), I can't blame the buyer for being disgruntled. Especially when this exact issue has been addressed here previously.
As for the comment "As another person stated, "it fits fine", I can add that I also have the same product and it required extra work to make it fit, and still isn't ideal. Others have reported the same. So there are multiple opinions on this.
I have no information about the other part in question so cannot comment on it.
I'm of the opinion retail businesses should consider customer service to be vital in order to remain in business these days. I know it certainly is with the businesses I own/operate.
Past experience tells me this forum seems to be a bit defensive of criticism towards the Fiat specialist vendors. Therefore I'm sure my comments here will not be met well. But this is a public forum and these are public businesses we are talking about, so my comments are merely a reflection of my general opinion and apply equally to all such parties (in other words no deformation is intended). Furthermore I am not taking sides, suggesting any products are defective, nor implying any intended wrong doing. My focus here is about customer service. Perhaps suggestions from the seller on how to properly install this particular product would be in order?
 
Dr.Jeff said:
From the sounds of it, the buyer says he had attempted to email the seller multiple times but received no response; "Unfortunate because a simple response to my emails could have corrected all this."
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No emails. No calls. I have looked. He does not have his name in this post so I can't even look up his purchase for contact information.

EDIT - I just went out and tried 5 gears on cams and they fit. Snugly but on enough by hand that the dowels caught. Would easily pull on fully with the bolt.
 
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phillips82 said:
He does not have his name in this post so I can't even look up his purchase for contact information.
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I do not intend to debate things, but it sounds like it cannot be said he had not attempted to contact you if you do not even know who he is? But regardless I have to ask, that prevents assisting him with the needed installation information? Again no offense intended, I just don't understand the resistance to support your customers? Perhaps I am not seeing the whole picture, therefore I will not comment further on the matter. Apologies if this offends anyone, only offering one opinion.
 
I am curious too if a little heat wouldn't get that bad boy on. I like the idea of a bit of time in boiling water, that seems to be a good idea to me. Just for grins make sure their aren't any machining burrs on the inner dia of the cam gear. A little rub down with some scotchbrite on the mating surfaces may do the trick too. It is never easy with race parts ;-). In a wacky way that is part of the fun. Good luck!
 
Ive have fitted 2 of these, yes they r very tight but in both cases I just heated them in the oven to 150 Degrees C then ran to the engine and slid them on.
 
phillips82 said:
No emails. No calls. I have looked. He does not have his name in this post so I can't even look up his purchase for contact information.

EDIT - I just went out and tried 5 gears on cams and they fit. Snugly but on enough by hand that the dowels caught. Would easily pull on fully with the bolt.
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Andrew, just got back to the computer and I'll give this one to you. An apology is in order regarding the emails I sent because our work firewall did in fact block them from going. Possibly because they contained photos but usually not an issue. Why it took several hours to show up, I'm not sure? Jumped the gun, maybe? From my perspective, and without a pissing match starting that nobody cares for I tried the gear on 2 camshafts with no success. As previously stated I sat it flat on a bench and placed the removed positioning pin first and then the camshaft over the gear second and applied downward pressure. Couldn't get either to sink or bite as a usual machined pair will do with various positioning. I'm not questioning that you are incorrect with the gears you tried there because you guys are the pro's and that's what you do. What I am saying is that for whatever reason I did not get that feeling of fit that I am confident in installing this thing without applying a good deal of force. The outer diameter of both camshafts appear to just barely clear the deburred edge of the bore. Not an engine builder and certainly not an expert "and" no disrespect to you but to me not being experienced enough here that could spell disaster on a piece of aluminum that's designed to drive the entire valve train. We installed your flat top pistons with small cut outs so it now being an interference engine, a mistake could spell a disaster. We've spent upwards of the last 2 years building this thing with parts from several different countries and help from many forum members including Vick Auto and the last thing I want to happen is to see that I've made an error by installing something that didn't feel right. I hope this makes sense and believe me if I try the suggestions put forth here and I'm successful (I really hope this is the case) then you "will" receive an apology openly on this forum from me because I don't mind admitting I'm wrong, unless you ask my wife? As far as the crank drive gear goes, it looks nothing like any of the three I have here that are rusty. There's a cutaway section inside but the land and groove looks barely wide enough to accommodate the belt. If you say this will work, once again who am I to question it? Its from Italy with a part number of Art P 0474 Fiat 127, 1050cc Ritmo 4430976 so me being not knowledgable in cross fitting from one engine to another and nothing on there indicating 1500 SOHC this is why I was inquiring. My intention was not to trash anyone or their business because of frustration but I see that's what has transpired here so I'm leaving it at that. If you see an apology on the forum then you'll know I was successful with installing the cam gear. If not? Then well, you'll know I had to have it machined.
Regards Cliff
 
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Please get us a measurement of the end of the cam and inside ID of the cam gear. The cam shouldn't be over sized as it wouldn't fit in the tower but measure it just the same.

I'll check the crank gear based off those numbers and make sure we didn't grab you one from a box over.

If you would, please give us a call tomorrow and we'll go over things. Try to make it after 10am so I have time for plenty of coffee. Ask for me.
 
phillips82 said:
Please get us a measurement of the end of the cam and inside ID of the cam gear. The cam shouldn't be over sized as it wouldn't fit in the tower but measure it just the same.

I'll check the crank gear based off those numbers and make sure we didn't grab you one from a box over.

If you would, please give us a call tomorrow and we'll go over things. Try to make it after 10am so I have time for plenty of coffee. Ask for me.
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Thanks
 
Dallarax19 said:
I am curious too if a little heat wouldn't get that bad boy on. I like the idea of a bit of time in boiling water, that seems to be a good idea to me. Just for grins make sure their aren't any machining burrs on the inner dia of the cam gear. A little rub down with some scotchbrite on the mating surfaces may do the trick too. It is never easy with race parts ;-). In a wacky way that is part of the fun. Good luck!
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Haven't had an opportunity yet with work but I'm hoping to give it a shot over the next couple of days. Best case scenario is for one of the heating/expansion suggestions (with maybe even a little coaxing?) and it slides on. Man I hope that's the outcome cause I'll gladly swallow it and throw out an apology to Andrew here if this works out because a bomb was dropped on us yesterday. Son was driving the X home yesterday from the auto parts supplier with oil, prestone and 4 plugs that we'll need to do the engine/trans switch and the transmission crapped out. No gears, nothing. Just a free moving shifter. He had to call some buddies to push him home. Luckily he was only a few blocks from home. Wish us luck!
 
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