I drove to Susquehanna Spares in Carlyle, PA and picked up a new timing gear, felt seal and gasket. All the clattering heard a couple of days ago was indeed the fiber gear separating from the steel hub. The gear came off with the hub still seated tight on the cam. Fortunately a few taps with hammer on a large screwdriver caused enough movement to walk the hub off.

The old felt seal was incomplete and easily broke into many pieces. The new seal was much thicker than expected. It was a major event trying to get the retaining ring in over the felt seal and washer.

Everything went back together without much difficulty. As a bonus, the radiator got a lot of debris hosed off while it was out.

I just wanted to let some of the less experienced, like myself, know that replacing the timing gear is not a very difficult job. Just don't get frustrated trying to line up the index marks and punch the gear like I did. Those spiral teeth are sharp!

The car started right up with no more clanking. It does whirr a bit more than it used to though.

Best regards,

Joe M

Cant say enough good things about Joe Lazenby at Susquehanna Spares. A couple of months ago I needed a front pipe for my 66 122S and Joe not only had one in stock he delivered it to my house. "What's the big deal!!" I hear you say. Well Joe is in Pa. and I live in Florida. Actually he was coming to the area for a visit and it worked out really well for me. Thanks Joe for service over and above the call of duty.

Joe M. glad to hear your first timing gear change worked out so well.

Jim Robinson, 66 122s

Congratulations on the timing gear job. It's a lovely reduction in noise. When mine was done last week, there was also more whirring and I swear that there is more noise coming from the engine at high speeds in each gear than there used to be. For example 50 in 4th seems more like 50 in 3rd used to. But at least I'm not going to get stranded now.

Tom

Tom:

On the drive in this morning with the new timing gear, there was much less noise at all speeds. It was almost a Zen like experience at 75 to 80 mph. The engine seemed to be making very little effort to keep the car going.

I did not do any cleaning or adjustment to the crank end oil nozzle as recommended in the Volvo repair manual. The only work done in there was to get the old timing gear off and the new gear on. Very little tapping was required for either operation.

Is it possible to drive back the cam a little bit while the timing gear is replaced?

Best regards,

Joe M

Hi Joe,

Congratualtions. I'm still waiting for my replacement gear set, but had all the same symptoms and I hope my 122s will be back together and running correctly by the end of the month.

Cheers,
Craig

Craig:

Make sure that you have a 1-7/16" socket or wrench on hand to remove the timing gear nut.

Best regards,

Joe M

I picked up a very old, very large pipe wrench at a local habitat for humanity store. This tool is indespensible. It's perfect for braking stuck nuts loose. I used it to release the timing gear nut, fuel filter fitting (on my 940), and my oil pan nut. The leverage and wide adjustment is unparalleled. I highly recommend getting one of these.

The only caveat is that the self-tightening jaws can mar your nut. My timing gear nut got a little scored on the exterior, but it is still perfectly servicable.
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You mean Volvo makes cars that are *NOT* Wagons?!?