Timing Gear/Crank Gear issue

30aadoodlebug

30aadoodlebug

Senior Member
So I was out driving my A the other day, and she decided to die on me while driving, gliding to a stop sans engine power. When I got it home, I had narrowed down the issue to electrical. I went over the usual suspects such as the armored cable, ignition switch, bottom plate and pig tail wire, points, condenser, etc., and all check out fine. So, when I went to re-time the wngine, the strangest thing happend: I could not get the timing gear to hit the depression signifying it was at #1. Also, the rotor and distributor shaft were not spinning. Upon removing the side cover to the timing gear, I saw that it was not moving when the engine was turned with the hand crank.

This is where it gets interesting... When turning the engine the opposite way via the fan belt, the timing gear, distributor, and rotor move without issue. When turning the engine again with the crank in the proper direction, both spin for s second and then cease to move.

Any thoughts?
 
Thanks Tom, that was my initial thought. But, when I turned the engine in the opposite direction, there were no teeth missing. Is it possible that the crank gear could have lost teeth?
 
Hi 30,

No matter what, sounds like the timing gear cover needs to be removed.

After removal, please enlighten us all ...... you will be the instructor and we will be the students waiting to hear what you found.
 
My thoughts exactly. Crank the engine and see if the cam gear moves full rotation. If so then it's in the center cam gear or the distributor shaft ect.
 
So I have a little home work to do with this. When I get home from work this evening, I plan on jacking up the engine and pulling the timing gear cover. I'll let everyone know from there what I find.

Thanks for the thoughts!
 
If you go back with a non fiber gear, I would suggest a bronze gear. I used an aluminum gear once, and it was noisy.
 
Best gears out there:
 

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If you decide to jack up the engine I'd suggest loosening the rear engine mount bolts.

Replacing the camshaft gear is not a hard job and can be done easily if the crank gear is in good shape.

If the crank gear requires replacement, then the front of the engine does need to be raised and this job becomes much harder.
 
Hi 30,

FWIW:

Maybe 15 years ago there was a devout religious heresy on the other Model A Forum that all aluminum gears and some bronze gears were always noisy ........... until one young guy adamantly provided his experience after purchasing Mr. Dan McEachern's gears. (Note the "s" on gears.)

He then added:

"Because of his precision in manufacturing matching gears with matching gear mesh, if Mr. McEachern made your crank gear and your timing gear, there will be no noise."

After calling Mr. Mc, I later decided to try one of Mr. McEachern's a Model A Forum considered un-religious Model A metal timing gears.

I knew I had a Mr. Dan McEachern crank gear on my rebuilt crankshaft, so I next installed a Mr. Dan McEachern aluminum gear, and it is noiseless even when heard through a mechanical stethoscope.

I have no doubts that any set of any metal gears can be noisy "if" the gear teeth are not made alike and are not meshing properly.

One former untimely fiber gear failure with a new 1970's modern fiber gear on my modern car was enough for me ......... but here again, this is just one (1) of many experiences and one (1) of many varied opinions ........... but with added details and explanations .... the ("s") on the gears can make a difference.
 
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I wonder if you have one of the older fiber timing gears that is built around a steel center? Those things are notorious for having the fiber portion work loose from the steel center.
 
If you can, turn the cam gear so it meshes and you can measure the play between the crank and cam gear. Dan's gears will make noise if there is too much play. I needed an .002 oversize cam gear to get quiet. It is not the metal that causes the noise, it is the excess play as over the years babbitt, cam, bearings, etc get worn.
 
From the sticky at the top of the page:

TIMING GEARS
1. No known website: Dan McEachern (510) 532-8228 (Californaia)
 
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