Cam Gear Teeth Not Aligned... ?

I've looked all over but can't find an answer. I recently purchased a 3rd gen VFR with approximately 45K miles. I'm checking the valve clearances and found one out of spec (cylinder 2, left intake). As I was removing the corresponding camshaft I noticed the teeth on the 'split' gear are not lined up (see picture). I looked at all the other camshafts and the teeth appear to be lined up on both sides of the split gear. Is it supposed to be this way? If not, what happened and what should I do to fix it? Thanks so much for your help.

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• [image: WIN_20150124_201942.JPG]

I think they are supposed to be like that, so the teeth on the gears maintain constant pressure against the gear it meshes to (IIRC, the thinner gear is spring loaded). which supossedly lessens the amount of noise/gear whine the straight cut gears driving the camshaft and on the camshaft makes. I believe they (Honda?) used the term "scissors" gears to describe these.

I think they are supposed to be like that, so the teeth on the gears maintain constant pressure against the gear it meshes to (IIRC, the thinner gear is spring loaded). which supossedly lessens the amount of noise/gear whine the straight cut gears driving the camshaft and on the camshaft makes. I believe they (Honda?) used the term "scissors" gears to describe these.

 you are correct  :fing02:

Oh, dear!

The other cams appear different because they are installed.  Upon re-installation of this cam, the small gear will be forced into alignment with the big gear, and all of the cams will then look the same...

Be very careful when you do re-install it, as the split gears will make it slightly difficult to get the correct cam alignment--it's easy to be one tooth off from where you want to be, and you won't be sure until you tighten the bolts up. 

Speaking of tightening the bolts up, you might also wish to avoid finding yourself with one of these:

[image: P8240006x.jpg]

(That was not dopped, btw.  Long story, but the cam caps were tightened with the cam significantly out of position.  :wacko: )

Ciao,

Anti lash cams.

Cool.  Never knew that.  Do all generations have that?  Pretty loud even with.  Wondering what without would sound like...

All with gear driven cams. RC51, also. I heard from a buddy with an RC51 that it sounds like a VW diesel without them at idle. At speed it can be very loud. Mind you, I haven't heard it myself. Maybe someone has it on youtube?

Cool.  Never knew that.  Do all generations have that?  Pretty loud even with.  Wondering what without would sound like...

Only the loud ones .   :goofy:

Thanks for the info and warning. I'm thinking when I reinstall the camshaft I need to pay extreme attention to the alignment arrow (lining up with top of head casing) on the gear but also make sure the teeth come back into alignment once everything is installed and tightened down. I read somewhere that taking a piece of string or taping a piece of paper stretched tight across the top of the head can help you line everything up better.

What you need to do is mark a tooth on the main gear and the corresponding tooth on the backlash gear and as you tighten the caps and bring the cam back under compression, the 2 teeth need to line up.

This is to make sure that you have the correct amount of preload on the backlash gear.