3D printed timing belt covers

[ItsSunnyD]

Hello friends,

I got a odd post for all of you. A little while back when changing my water pump, I notice my timing cover was broken is a few places, it also seems a replacement will cost a pretty penny for an early cover for a 83 NA.

So I got a bright idea of 3d printing one out of carbon fiber nylon.

Before I start drawing up some models, has anyone attempted to mold new covers from fiberglass/carbon fiber or model them.

Haven’t see anyone attempting this, but this could be a possibility, the OEM covers are injected polypropylene.

In the process of modeling them, I don't have a complete rear now to model, If anyone who does have a early 8v rear cover is willing to help, you can get a 3d scan using your phone and simply taking a lot of photos.

The app I found is called KIRI engine. If anyone can lend a hand in this project let me know, as of right now I need a 3d scan of the rear 8Valve cover.

Sincerely, Sunny

[Tom]

I do not have a model, sorry. I do recall someone once making clear covers (so you can see the belts with the motor running), but that was at least a decade ago, probably two. I 'think' those were molded from the originals. To actually print those covers, you'd need a large format printer, since most of the typical FDM printers would not be big enough. Or you could have it printed professionally, and in a high-heat-resistant material, but that would probably cost more than new parts from Porsche. I'm all in favor of your project though and will help if I can, and love the fact that you found Carpokes as the right place to talk about 3D printed Porsche parts! I'll look to see if I have a rear cover in my stash. When the new turbo pumps came out, they modified that rear cover -- so it might make for a more universal model to follow the updated part vs the original '83. The update fits all cars, whereas the early covers won't fit later cars without modification....

[ItsSunnyD]

I plan on using a base Ender 3 with a lot of mods for this,(Im gonna attempt some Carbon fiber-nylon) also the though was to print sections that tap together and with heated thread inserts and bolts would allow a cover to be made in multiple pieces.

[ItsSunnyD]

Also yea the cutout is something im gonna incorporate, This 3d model would also allow one to print a inverse mold and cast with resin and carbon fiber. Also your timing pump repair video was awesome, I myself to to do the same repair.

[Tom]

Wonder if heat-set threads would be too thick/bulky? Maybe plastic rivet plugs would be an idea for holding pieces together without the hassle of modeling snap fits.

Not sure what video you mean by timing pump repair??

[ItsSunnyD]

Yea rivnuts are good idea, and the one drilling out a stripped bolt in the block, using a jig to drill it out

[Tom]

Yea rivnuts are good idea, and the one drilling out a stripped bolt in the block, using a jig to drill it out

Ah cool, did you use my .STL to fix a broken water pump stud?

[ItsSunnyD]

I plan on soon, just need to make a flywheel lock