I noticed after pulling the cam and inspecting the gear that runs the cam. The very center of the cam gear is not a part of the gear. At least on the one I am looking at??? It seems inserted into the gear. Is this normal? If it is, would this move if a head and piston collision happened? Or would the belt give way before this could move? The gear looks original.. any replies appreciated.

 

The porsche manual shows two seals between the gear and the cam housing. There is a woodruff key that locates the gear on the camshaft. (very small semi-circle) It is very strong and will only spin with a timing chain/gear set up. (I had it happen on an old mustang II.)

 

Yes, but that is not what I am talking about. The gear itself has an insert piece. The Key slot is what is on it. It looks like the gear has an insert piece that connects the gear to the actual shaft that the key is inserted to. Looks like it was pressed into the gear. Or like many bearings I deal with at work, Cryo fitted interferrence. Just wondered if a gernaded engine would make this insert piece slip? Thanks for the reply.

 

Could it be that your camshaft was resprocketed? A few companies were brought up in the past when i searched for new gears....Which brings to mind. If anybody wants camshafts for re-gearing, I have two great candidates.
-Robert D.

 

can someone post a picture of this woodruff key, id like to see one

 

I don't have my manual with me for the picture of the woodruff key. I am currently waiting on a new sprocket as mine was damaged from the cam bolt coming out. (The p.o. did not locktite it and did not torque it down to spec.) I thought the sprocket was machined out of a single piece, but I will look tonight.

 

This pic shows the parts. From the front of the gear, you see a shiny shoulder. I have 2 camshafts apart, and they both have this shoulder, but it is machined into the gear. It is not a seperate insert. Looking at the backside of my cam gear assures me of this. HTH <img src="http://boards.rennlist.com/upload/PCam0007.JPG" alt=" - " />

 

Good picture Ken. Thanks!

 

Thanks, for the picture. I can see the insert on the backside of my gear. But the notch and Key look to be the same place. Thanks again. will just use the old gear. Do not trust the inserted gear.