This question pertains to a gear drive on a BBC but I suppose we could be talking about any engine.

Question is, when the cam and crank sprockets are installed, how much misalignment (if any) is acceptable between the two, once the idler gears are installed? Anyone else seen this? Any ideas on what "acceptable" is? The directions state that they may not align perfectly but doesnt get specific.

And if this type of problem is encountered, what can cause it and how does one go aobut fixing it? (I believe, possibly, that the crank sprocket sticks out further from the front of the block than does the cam sprocket)


Thank you for the knowledge for which you are about to share.