cam shaft gear problem

[dimon2000]

I just rebuild my engine to stock specs. I got the engine in last weekend and I noticed that the exhust cam gear moves side to side a little, so when you look at the timing belt it moves a little from one side to another. i drove the car , drives really nice and strong. my friend told me that its not a big deal but i should change it some time. My question is should I not drive the car, or i should be fine for now. Before i put the engine in i changed the cam shaft seals and when i was undoing the big bolt for the cam i noticed the little pin that gides the cam gear on got a little bent, so i didnt think it was a big deal. Now i think because of that the gear doesnt sit flash and moves side to side. please help i dont know what to do. i really want to drive the car but dont want to break anything after a long time of working on the engine. First build btw. thanks

 

[bastarddsm]

I would probably take it apart and investigate it. the side to side movment probably wont hurt anything, but it seems like there might be a possiblilty of the pin shearing and the cam stopping turning. that would be really bad.

 

[16gpoweredgsx]

I would take it off and replace it or the cam. Whichever is causing the wobbling will eventually break and throw your timing belt off. Whether it be the cam b/c the dowel pin is bent maybe you can heat it and bend it straight or get another cam, or replace the cam gear. Definately deserves immediate attention. Why go through another rebuild when it can be easily avoided.

 

[turbo_punk]

Well I have never had this happen to me but if it is moving at all i wouldn't even start the car untill it is fixed mainly because it is your timing and if that breaks or jumps timing"teeth" your most likely going to bend your valves and have to have your top end redone, so unless you have a lot of money to waste on redoing stuff i would leave it parked till you know for sure.

 

[dimon2000]

I was thinking about the pin breaking off too ### thats the only thing that keeps the gear from stop moving with the cam and since it got bent it might break. any way to change cam with out removing timing belt, and do i need go replace the gear too or just the cam?

 

[dimon2000]

i had to rebuild the engine because of over heating and blowing the head gasket. i had to get a new head but i still have the old cams which are fine so i guess i will have to change that cam i think the cam gear should be fine just the cam. any easy way to do that?