General Fiat Cam Timing Tool A60319

[stevenk9958]

I'm getting ready to change out my Timing Belt on my 1978 Fiat 124 spider 1800, and the Haynes Repair Manual says that the Fiat Timing Belt Tool A60319 is required to set the cam timing. I've looked everywhere on the internet and have not been able to locate this tool. Does anyone know where I can find one? Is there another equivalent tool I can use? Thanks for any help you can provide.

 

[124BC1]

That tool (A60319) is not needed. You just need to get your timing marks correctly aligned before fitting a new timing belt - see screenshot below
(this screenshot was taken from a technical guide available on the www.autoricambi.us website but this site is down until April 28, 2025).

Instructions for fitting and tensioning a new timing belt.
The crank is set to TDC, the little holes in the cams pulleys are aligned with their marks, and the little hole in the auxiliary drive pulley is set at 23* clockwise from the vertical (23* equates with approx. 3 teeth on the pulley). Then fit the belt and while ensuring the longest run of the belt (i.e. the section of belt between the intake cam and auxiliary drive pulleys) is taut, release tensioner to take up the slack, nip up tensioner, turn crank through 2 complete turns in normal direction (never turn the crank backwards), check timing marks are still aligned - if ok, while ensuring longest run of belt is taut, release tensioner again to take up any slack, nip up tensioner and turn crank 2 complete turns, recheck timing marks are aligned, if ok, tighten tensioner to correct torque. Only turn the crank using a wrench, do not use the starter motor until you are satisfied that the timing marks are still correct and the tensioner has been tightened. To check belt tension is correct, after the belt has been tensioned, try twisting the belt on the longest run, it should be possible to almost but not quite twist the belt through 90*.

There is also a good YouTube video on fitting a timing belt to the Fiat twincam engine @ ELDEST Builds

 

[stevenk9958]

That tool (A60319) is not needed. You just need to get your timing marks correctly aligned before fitting a new timing belt - see screenshot below
(this screenshot was taken from a technical guide available on the www.autoricambi.us website but this site is down until April 28, 2025).

Thank you very much for this information. I know you took some time and effort to provide the links, screenshots and instructions and I really appreciate your help!

 

[124BC1]

Thank you very much for this information. I know you took some time and effort to provide the links, screenshots and instructions and I really appreciate your help!

You're very welcome and I appreciate the 'thanks'. I'm just sorry for you that the website at www.autoricambi.us is down until April 28th - their technical guide to fitting a new timing belt is far better (and more concise!) that what I could manage from memory, so I could only upload the part of it that I had saved.

As regards that special tool A60319, it's purpose was to secure all the pulleys in place once they had been correctly aligned but it's not needed as the cam pulleys should align with marks on the cyl. head, the auxiliary drive pulley mark just needs to be set 23* (= 3 teeth) clockwise from the vertical and the crank pulley mark should align with either a timing mark on the belt cover (belt cover can be temporarily loosely refitted to check crank pulley position is correct) or an ignition timing pointer plate fitted alongside (depends on engine).

Below is a page from an old Fiat 'shop manual showing tool A 60319 fitted to the engine - please disregard the spring balance (spring tension gauge) being used, this is not needed on later engines as they have a spring loaded tensioner (early engines had no spring fitted to the tensioner).

I worked as a Mechanic in a Fiat dealership (back in the day) and we didn't use bother with using this special tool or the Fiat belt tension gauge (just try finding one of those nowadays, (I can't remember the tool number) especially one that still has all the adaptors to suit the different Fiat engines!).

 

[stevenk9958]

I noticed that the written instructions said to remove the spark plugs, but the @ ELDEST Builds Youtuber never removes his. Do I have to remove them? They were not easy to install and would rather not remove them if I don't have to.

Also, do you have information or drawings on how to install the Air Pump and where the belt goes?

 

[124BC1]

I noticed that the written instructions said to remove the spark plugs, but the @ ELDEST Builds Youtuber never removes his. Do I have to remove them? They were not easy to install and would rather not remove them if I don't have to.

Also, do you have information or drawings on how to install the Air Pump and where the belt goes?

I believe the reason for advising the removal of the spark plugs is just to make it easier to turn the crankshaft and camshafts when aligning the timing marks during a timing belt change - so not really necessary.

The autoricambi.us website should be back in action next Monday April 28th, so if you can wait until then, you might check out their technical guide (iirc, there's a link to this technical section at the bottom of their homepage) before changing your timing belt.

I'm not familiar with the U.S. spec models fitted with 'Smog' emissions equipment so I can't advise about the air pump or its belt, maybe check in a 'shop manual?

 

[Slotman]

I just did my timing belt and I believe the reason for removing the spark plugs is as 124bc1 stated...it makes it easier to turn the motor over once the new belt is on as you cycle it thru the 2 or more revolutions to remove the slack on the belt...to me it seemed like leaving them in and making it harder to turn over due to compression might cause the newly installed belt to jump a tooth before all the slack is removed..I removed mine and it's not hard...some struggle with number 4 but I just used a spark plug socket with A 3/8 universial plugged in to it with an extension and a 3/8 rachet....but again as 124bc1 stated, you don't have to..also the 1st screenshot chart that 124bc1 posted tells you everything you need...just follow it and good luck!