I just looked at the flange and the spacer in the 142 (B20)and compared with the same in a B18 in my garage. I assumed they are the same, since configuations in the two engines are the same for most things. In the B18, the spacer is firmly positioned and extends outward so the front end of it is just past being flush with the flange. In the 142, the spacer has a lot of play - it sort of flops around on the cam and is not firmly against the key. It only extends outward partly through the flange. As I think of it now, it's probably the same as the depth of the wear on the back of the timing gear.

The front-most journal in the engine in my garage is approximately flush with the front of the block. In the 142, it is substantially short of that. It appears that the spacer is of the wrong thickness to position the gear away from the cam-retaining flange and that's causing the wear. The flange has some irreularities in it that I missed at first, but no circular grooves. 'nuther coupla questions. I assume the cam is the right length - is that valid assumption? If it is I need to get a spacer of the correct thickness, right?

In other words, what do you suggest that I do?

We have the previous owner's service, repair records and know who perpetrated this and a score of other "creative" solutions, some of which are unconscionable, especially for someone who represents himslelf as a foreign car specialist of some renown.


Any help is appreciated.

Thanks,

Jim Hampton