cam problem

[Cornloaf]

ok i havent posted on here in a while, but i am installing an rb20 in an s13 right now, i pulled the upper timing cover to check the belt and that good stuff. i first notice some metal grinds on the shaft of the cas and proceed to put my finger in the hole where it goes, only to find the half moon piece has broken off the little gear inside the end of the exhaust cam where the cas goes. these are tomei cams and i was wondering if anyone has any ideas other than replacing the cam. does anyone know if the gear with the little half moon shape piece is interchangeable or am i just bummin now??? any helpful info would be much appreciated. thanks

[Carl H]

j00 n33d2 4 n3w c4m,suxor.

[Cornloaf]

awsome - so its not just a guide for which way to put in the cas?? - because if thats all it is, i think i can put the cas in carefully enough to where the right teeth aare supposed to be - because the gear is still there - just not the half moon piece - or is the whole thing gonna start coming apart now that it has already started?

[Joe]

j00 n33d2 4 n3w c4m,suxor.

hell no he doesnt

its just a guide for CAS install. just line up the cas visually and youll be fine. mine broke when i broke a cas a year ago, its working fine to this day.

[Carl H]

oh right, lol i thought he meant the whole star piece broke off...

[Cornloaf]

yay!!! im sooo happy! i was bummin out - so u dont think that will weaken it too much or mess up the balance of it or anything - its only about 10mm long or so and its right off the very end of the cam so i hope it will be fine - thanks guys -

[Carl H]

the only reason that tang is there is to serve as a guide so you dont **** up the cas installtion, just gonna have to take your time putting the cas in now to make sure it lines up right.