Timing Gear Failure - anyone else?

[Roy]

The lower timing gear (the one on the crank) was making noise because the slot for the key had worn almost twice as wide. The key also wore down to match. This set of circumstances caused the timing to be ******** by approximately 10 deg. so it was really doggy.

Has anyone else ever seen this same failure of the timing gear?

If I can figure out how to post a picture of the gear I will.

 

[twr]

Roy:
The lower timing gear (the one on the crank) was making noise because the slot for the key had worn almost twice as wide. The key also wore down to match. This set of circumstances caused the timing to be ******** by approximately 10 deg. so it was really doggy.

Has anyone else ever seen this same failure of the timing gear?

If I can figure out how to post a picture of the gear I will.

That's called crank cancer - You might do a search to find out more info on it. It has happened a few times before.

<small>[ January 19, 2004, 03:28 PM: Message edited by: twr ]</small>

 

[Rockledge]

A search of this Forum is a good idea.

You can also read a little about "crank cancer" HERE.

 

[Roy]

HOLLY CRAP! That is EXACTLY what my stuff looks like. I had seen references to crank cancer on this forum before but never read the linked article.

THANKS ALOT, this forum is great.

 

[SHO_Driver]

Ok. He's taking it well.

 

[Yamaha V6]

If it's just the gear, you're in better shape than if the crankshaft is worn as well. The gear & the woodruff key can be replaced (I have new keys & used gears in stock if needed).

I've lived through Crank Cancer on my winter beater 89 last winter. The fix that ended up working the longest was having the entire assembly JB Welded, Loctited, AND WELDED together.

Dampener welded to retainer disc, welded to crank gear, welded to the crankshaft, essentially. Obviously, it was ugly, there was an issue with the timing belt getting cut down some by a sharp edge from burn-through on the retainer disc, and you couldn't use the timing covers, but the car ran anyway.

Good luck.

 

[Roy]

I ordered a new gear yesterday (only because I really need to get this back together tonight).

The crank looks ok. I can feel a small step, but it measures no more than a .001" difference. Maybe a small amount of loctite?