Does anyone know the background behind the three small holes on the end of the cam covers?

It appears they've never been tapped, and they are not used for anything on either of my cars.

You can see them on the left side of the picture below (borrowed from Curt's thread).

I don't remember ever seeing them discussed before. Just curious...
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I think it's an early '87 thing, vestigial remnants for some planned bracket that didn't happen.

 

Mines an 88 and doesn't have them.

 

I was thinking perhaps it was from something on the 85-86. I believe they used the same covers...

 

https://rennlist.com/forums/928-foru...eontology.html

Left side cam sensor bracket? (PET shows reluctor for both sides.)

 

Thanks for that link Ken. Same topic being discussed, but ended unresolved.

You lost me with the reluctor comment. Can you please elaborate further..?

 

I'm fascinated by the fact that the castings and the finished parts are nearly identical, port and starboard. The only difference is which spark plug wire bracket attachment points are tapped for threads.

You'd think they would therefore have some sort of symmetry - the end near the "P" would be the mirror of the edge with the "E". But no: the ends are different. The rounded corner near the "P" is forward on the port side of the engine, but aft on the starboard side. So, the heads must be ... I get confused at this point.

I'm flattered that you used my refinished cover as illustration, Mark. For those needing motivation, here is the "before" photo:

 

85-86 covers are very different from 87+.

The mystery continues...

 

Hall sensor trigger wheel on 1-4 side. PET (incorrectly) shows the wheel on both banks.


If you figure out those holes, maybe someone can figure out what these holes do. They are on all 32V (except early '85).
One of the three smaller holes in the cam gears line up with a machined boss (visible through the larger hole below) on the 5-8 side at T|0 #1.
A 10mm rod fits there. Perhaps to simplify belt stringing on the assembly line? Or setting cam timing?

 

OK, so do the 85/86 cam covers have those same three little holes..?