timing gear question

[Billy 1931 Model A]

Took the valve cover off. When I turn the crankshaft, the cam doesn’t turn, so the distributor doesn’t turn. It seems either the cam timing gear and/or the crankshaft timing gear is busted, right?

Also, copper gaskets or graphite?

[J Franklin]

Most likely cause.

[Chuck Dempsey]

You can easily remove the timing gear cover, and look at what's happening. Odds are that you have a 'fiber' camshaft gear, that has stripped teeth... You can order another 'fiber' gear, or an aluminum one that will last ages. There is lots of literature on how to swap out the gear, and get it to mesh with the crankshaft gear correctly. I've no opinion of gaskets. Good Luck!

[JayJay]

Most likely the camshaft gear center is "liberated" from the toothed portion. I've never heard of a crank gear being stripped, while losing a cam gear is not at all uncommon. (FWIW, 60's-70's Volvo 4-cylinder engines were renowned for this also. Made a few bucks in college replacing timing gears on them.)

[Werner]

Billy,
if the valve cover is removed, you can see the camshaft gear teeth through the opening at the front.

[Bruce of MN]

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Originally Posted by JayJay

Most likely the camshaft gear center is "liberated" from the toothed portion. I've never heard of a crank gear being stripped, while losing a cam gear is not at all uncommon. (FWIW, 60's-70's Volvo 4-cylinder engines were renowned for this also. Made a few bucks in college replacing timing gears on them.)

My fiber gear stripped in 2019.

[nkaminar]

My fiber gear stripped in 1966. I changed it out at the side of the road. I carried a new one. Now I have an aluminum gear and no longer carry a spare timing gear.

[bobbader]

If the fiber timing gear is shot …….. without the gear having spun its center, there’s a good chance the gear broke because your distributor has frozen up or is about to. If that is the case, the fiber gear became sacrificial and negated any more substantial damage to internal engine parts. This is a variable most folks don’t know about. Sooooo, whatever happened to the fiber timing gear, before you launch another one, maybe remove the distributor from the engine, be sure the shaft still turns easily by hand and is well lubricated.

[Synchro909]

Originally Posted by bobbader

If the fiber timing gear is shot …….. without the gear having spun its center, there’s a good chance the gear broke because your distributor has frozen up or is about to. If that is the case, the fiber gear became sacrificial and negated any more substantial damage to internal engine parts. This is a variable most folks don’t know about. Sooooo, whatever happened to the fiber timing gear, before you launch another one, maybe remove the distributor from the engine, be sure the shaft still turns easily by hand and is well lubricated.

Bob touches on something I have told others many times. Don't think that just because what was broken is repaired that all is well. Ask yourself "Why is it so?" What caused the problem - fix that and your repair is complete.

[JayJay]

Originally Posted by Synchro909

Bob touches on something I have told others many times. Don't think that just because what was broken is repaired that all is well. Ask yourself "Why is it so?" What caused the problem - fix that and your repair is complete.

Truer words were never spoken, Synchro. Old school mechanic vs. current parts replacer.

[Will N]

Originally Posted by nkaminar

My fiber gear stripped in 1966. I changed it out at the side of the road. I carried a new one. Now I have an aluminum gear and no longer carry a spare timing gear.

See Bob Bader's post right below yours. Henry knew what he was doing when he specified a fiber gear.

[nkaminar]

Yes, the rest of the engine, including the distributor must be kept in good operating condition. I am a member of the OCD club, Often Check Distributor. I keep it oiled and happy.