The noise does indeed seem to indicate a timing gear, especially if you already
knew it was on the way out. In my experience as long as it runs, it will usually
run pretty well but when it quits it really quits. I have removed bad timing gears
that seemed to be OK when I took them off because the knurling was stuck point-to-point.
A smack with a hammer knocked the knurled steel hub out, though.
I have not had one that fell apart in my hand, and I have wiped out at least six
of them. I did have one that was chewed to pieces.
--
George Downs, Bartlesville, Heart of the USA!