880 timing

jh105 · Jan 29, 2017

I'm assembling an 880 gas engine. Today while installing the oil pump I can't seem to get the distributor drive slot perfectly straight (parallel to cam). I believe my problem might actually be too much wear on the back side of the cam gear. I had noticed that earlier when I installed the camshaft that the front face of the cam gear was not flush with the front of the crank gear. It was set back closer to the block, maybe 3/32". when I pull the cam forward to get both gears flush, then my slot is straight. Can I install a shim washer behind the gear? Or should I start looking for a different cam gear? Or just put it together and see if there is enough twist in the distributor to make it work? I wonder if the slight misalignment will affect the contact with the tappets. I'd appreciate hearing any thoughts or opinions. thanks JH

RWT · Jan 29, 2017

That sounds like a fair amount of wear.

I would try to shim it because I think it would be better for the lifters.

RT

bock · Jan 30, 2017

first thing you need to do is measure the cam gear and see how much it is worn. i have never seen agear that was worn, i would not go by how the gears mesh,need to get it right our you will wipe out cam and lifters,

jh105 · Jan 30, 2017

near as I can tell the cam gear at the hub measures about 1.08. Now if I only knew what a new or good one measured. It's seems to be pressed on the shaft as far as it will go, and I really don't see any wear. I did change blocks because of a crack in the original. the crank and cam are mates out of the original block. Surely camshafts aren't specific to blocks? I can't see any difference between the two blocks other than one was gas and the other was set up for a diesel pump

bock · Jan 31, 2017

i measured one i had laying around it measured 1.o9 only 10 thousand difference probably is nothing wrong with your gear the slot of the oil pump usually is just pointed forward somewhat not perfectly aligned

jh105 · Feb 2, 2017

thanks for taking time to measure. after talking to a local mechanic familiar with olivers, I went ahead and assembled it. He said the same thing, that the slot may not be perfectly straight. judging by the wear on the gear we decided that the gears had been running this way for some time if not always. anyway thanks again for your help. jh

880 timing

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