Timing gears-quick question

[Rabbitoh]

Just swapped  out the fibre timing gear on my Grey motor’s camshaft and replaced it with a new steel one. Question; Does the existing steel timing gear on the crankshaft need to be swapped out for the new one supplied in the kit? Or, if the gear backlash is within tolerance (.003”-.004”), can I leave it on the crankshaft?
Thanks.

[ardiesse]

Check the condition of the crankshaft gear teeth on the drive side.  Generally you see wear marks and pitting on high-mileage motors; along with lots of backlash.  If the backlash is within spec, then you're fine.

Excess timing gear backlash makes just about no difference to the way the engine runs.  In one case I had about 0.040" backlash.  Couldn't tell until I stripped the motor down.

Rob

[my8thholden]

Rabbitoh ..If you have a new kit ,why not fit the new crank gear as well ,lot more work I know,but it is a mated pair after all ,don't forget your oil slinger ,and centralise oil seal before tightening timing cover ..Vern ..

[ardiesse]

. . . oil slinger.  That reminds me.  File a notch in the slinger to clear the Woodruff key.  Then you don't have to remove the Woodruff key from the crank to take the camshaft out (next time).

Rob

[Harv]

Agree with Rob - unless the crank gear is visibly stuffed, leave it alone.

Don’t forget to check that the oil squirter is clear. Spin the oil pump with a drill, and make sure the squirter nozzle squirts.

Mmmmm.... new steel timing gear. 10% chance you get that awesome supercharger whine for 50km before it beds in.

Cheers,
Harv

[my8thholden]

There you go 3 heads are better than one ,another tip ,if you are using a dual lip oil seal in timing cover ,pack a bit of high melt grease between the lips ,if the inner lip does its job well ,the outer lip can "burn" ,the grease help to ease that problem..Vern

[Rabbitoh]

Many thanks for those responses, gentlemen. Very helpful indeed!
Cheers,
Chris

[hsv-001]

A smear of copper based grease on the gears will help with the whine Harv speaks of .

[Rabbitoh]

Which grease is copper based?

[Errol62]

Here is one https://www.ebay.com.au/itm/264373139951
But there are plenty available. Just look for copper based antiseize lubricant

Sent from my SM-A705YN using Tapatalk

[Fraze]

I just sarted my engine for the first time, and drove the car, after a full engine rebuild. I fitted a steel timimg gear but retained the original crank gear. The engine had a pronounced tinny rattle, more a fluttering noise at idle and at light throttle openings, but is quiet under power. i figured that it had to be the timing gears. I have now done 130miles and the noise has almost gone, down by a good 80%. I figure after another 100 miles or so it will be gone completely. This is ny FB ute.
When I did my FC sedan a few years ago I did the same, steel timing gear and original crank gear and never heard a peep from it, quiet from day one.
Just out of interest, Fraze

[Rabbitoh]

Looks like I will be leaving the existing crankshaft gear in place and using the copper based grease for insurance against a noisy running in period.
Thanks for the very helpful input, gents.
Chris