I'm replacing my z6 cam gear with a y7 on my mini-me b7/z6. How would I set the timing on the cam gear to TDC using the y7 cam gear? I also removed the cam gear without removing the timing belt--slipped belt off and haven't slipped in new cam gear.

 

Is it a stock cam gear?

 

yeah it's a stock cam gear

 

Doesn't the stock cam gear go in one way? Then, if you want to set it to TDC, you set the cam gear to TDC for cylinder # 1 using the TDC marks on the OEM cam gear?

There's a knotch on the cam gear where the end of the camshaft slips onto. It only goes in one way.

Also, have you checked if the timing belt you are using is compatible with the D16Y7 cam gear? Teeth pattern wise...

As you can see right here:

 

Well I got her on. I slipped the timing belt half-way on the cam gear after setting the crank to TDC. Then I slipped the cam gear onto the cam and GENTLY tapped her in until it was flush in the camshaft.

The reason I'm using a y7 stock cam gear on my by/z6 mini-me is because of the difference in block height between the 1.5 and the 1.6L blocks. If you were to keep the stock z6 cam gear in a mini me swap with a 1.5 block, the cam would be retarded ~4.75* which is aproximately half a tooth on the cam gear. The 96-00 y7/8 stock cam gear's key on the cam gear is offset about 4.75* off from the z6 cam gear which will fix the problem with the cam being retarded.