1966 122 Timing Gear Noise... I think

MattHenning · Post by **MattHenning** » 14 Jul 2014, 21:22

While replacing the main seals on a B18 that was out of the car, I discovered that the timing gear on the camshaft had a good sized chip out of one of the teeth. I replaced it with another gear off of a parts engine I had in the shop. When I got the engine back into the car and started it, I noticed a noise that I initially thought was a wet belt. When I saw that the belt was dry, I thought it may have been a dry bearing in the generator or the water pump. I took the belt off, and started the engine. The noise was still there.
Is it possible that the used timing gear is making noise because it is wearing-in to a new crankshaft gear? Or is there something else I may have screwed up while putting it back together? Again, the noise is a constant kind of a "shhhh..." sound almost like a wet belt or gear noise in a transmission. It was a fiber gear, not steel. It concerns me, but I hate to have to take the timing cover off.
I would greatly appreciate any ideas or advice.

93Regina · Post by **93Regina** » 14 Jul 2014, 22:21

MattHenning wrote:I replaced it with another gear off of a parts engine I had in the shop.

It's generally better to replace the set, the same with transmissions, one is suppose to replace gears that mesh together. Not always done, but with a mis-match, noise and rubbing-down effect can be experienced. But with prices thru the roof for a timing gear set...I understand.

If either gear is not seated, then that could be the noise....

I would assume steel gears do not wear much with a fiber-gear, so I would not expect a "shhhh..." noise.

Verdict - Take it apart, and inspect cover plate...one of the gears may be rubbing it. I would also inspect gears, and see where they are meshing.

Replacing the timing gears

One person suggested While turning the flywheel through two complete revolutions, carefully check that there is no side-to-side slop whatsoever between the timing gears. A small amount of forward and backward movement of the large gear is acceptable. If the large gear is fiber, inspect it minutely for cracking.