Was changing the timing gear and chain in my recently purchased 1964 Olds 330 Vista Cruiser. When I removed the cam gear this nice flange appeared with a missing piece. Is it safe to use? The gear came off by hand. So did the crank gear. So no pullers were used by me. No chip found in pan either

 

That looks like a fresh break. I bet the piece is there somewhere. Tough call as to whether to use it or not More than likely it will be ok but I hate to say that.

 

Use it only if you can get the broken piece out of the cam. That pin keeps the gear from slipping on the cam, without it the timing can go haywire. The bolt will not hold the gear in place.

 

Why would you risk using a broken part on the internals, or on anything. Replace it IMO.

 

I cant tell for sure by his picture but I though the pin was still there.

 

Because then you are talking about doing a cam and lifters on a 56 year old engine as compared to going with the new gears and see what happens. For this application it will probably be fine until he decides to rebuild the entire engine.

 

As stated earlier that looks like a fresh break as there isn't any oil or grease on the edges. If the pin is opposite the crack I think it will be fine. If it was a high performance application my recommendation would be replacement.

Good luck!!!

 

I have been wondering the same thing. A different photo angle would help.

 

Keep in mind this is most likely a 45º CBA engine, so a replacement camshaft is not as easy to get as the later 39º that are much more common.

 

You could have it welded and remachined to match the rest of the end. The mating surface appears to be about 90% there, so it should be fine. There may be a little imbalance present. A lot depends on how much you drive it, and how you drive it.

The cam gear usually comes off by hand, but the crank gear is generally an interference fit. The crank gear should have a woodruff key.

 

The pin is still there and the cam gear goes back on fine. I checked below the car with a broom to sweep up and a magnet - no chip metal there. Used camera and checked oil pan - no chip there. No chip on frame. So I will reuse the cam. Its a 2 bbl 330 from 1964. Looks like it broke long ago, I used brake cleaner on the hub before pic was taken, so it appears to be a new break.

 

That missing little piece will not affect "fit and function". The hub and pin are still there. Get the lifters back in their respective holes. Re-assemble things and you should be "good to go".

 

The whole engine was 100% together and runs, just pulled the radiator, water pump and chain cover. I am replacing chain and gears. Thats all. More pics......

 

In these better pics, the pin is all there and in good shape. No reason not to re-use the cam.

 

What actually holds the cam in place and keeps it from moving forward while the engine runs? The dist shaft? The chain? There is not a collar around the front that bolts to the block as in some foreign car motors...

 

The shape of the lobes, and lifters, as well as the distriutor/oil pump gearing puts rear ward thrust on the cam. Some people put a plug/button on the end of the cam to keep it from inadvertently wearing on the inside of the timing cover

 

On the Oldsmobile 350 engines I have seen, only one of the two oil gallery plugs has a hole drilled in it to lube the timing chain.
This is also shown in the Service Manual and the hole is only on the passenger side. (see #4 on the following diagram)
Did the 330 use them on both galleries from the factory?

 

my engine is all stock, so I guess both galley plugs have oil holes. Its a 330 2 bbl, 1964.

 

Was the chain and cam gear original? What was its condition?

 

Yes chain and gears original. Only 1 nylon tooth was broken. badly stretched.

 

FYI - disassembled a 1965 425 engine and both front gallery plugs have holes drilled in them.