Crank gear free play?

[COOTER]

So, after removing my busted timing gear, I noticed some feee play in my crank gear? Is this normal? I'm afraid of the answer that I'm about to get.

 

[Synchro909]

Clearly not normal. Any play there will affect your timing. The gear is keyed to the crank shaft to maintain the correct timing and should have no play.

 

[tbirdtbird]

the woodruff key in the crank might be bad

or the crank gear might have split

 

[COOTER]

I just need to pull the pan to remove the gear, correct?

 

[Patrick L.]

The gear should be tight to the crank, not just the key.

To replace that gear the engine must be raised requiring loosening/removal of rear engine mount bolts as well as front. The radiator and pan need to be removed.

Do not drive/hammer the new gear on. I 'press' them on using various lengths of pipe made to allow the crank shaft bolt to push the gear on. Heating the gear helps.

 

[Bob C]

Also a good ideal to remove the accelerator assembly so you don't bend it
when you jack the engine up.

Bob

 

[Jim in S.C.]

Choke rod too. And sometimes the mouse trap.