BSA 350 cc Model L engine circa 1930 strip & rebuild 13 Discussing the cams & timing gears condition

With the crankcases bolted up and the crank spinning truly and freely, it was time to fit the timing gears and cams, which, although being far from 'as new', were all quite servicable, as discussed here.

[@7magicnumber]

first engine i ever rebuilt was a BSA bantam 175, 35 years ago. nice bit of nostalgia

[@johnarnold5891]

The mans correct the backlash is normal if they were a perfect fit they won't turn when it's hot. Obviously when running up to temperature it gets quieter. Am 75 i in my engineering business done most British bike engines .Don't forget it's not a jap 😮

[@johnarnold5891]

Yur correct sir it's 👍 when you make yur gasket get the proper gasket making thin card board is flexible and absorbed wellhead glue. And you need a toffee hammer 😮

[@Cobra427Veight]

It'll last for years , looks the same as a b33. Down there .cheers

[@hermangibbs8163]

Thanks Paul.

[@Jimdirt7898]

Those gears probably had slack when it was new

[@neilmcintosh1200]

That arrangement looks awfully similar to the M and B series models. Very durable.

[@norsehall309]

G'day Paul, your doing well on the old motor, l would love too see it running, but you only have the motorcycle engine you will just show us how it turns over, cheers mate, Neil 🤠. PS slip it into another bike and get it going, don't tell the owner.

[@paulhenshaw4514]

Hi Neil - the whole machine is probably going to make an appearance for a bit of setting up at some point, but that might be a while, yet!

[@Spottydogonthemoor]

The clearance is taken up when hot and oily - meant to be that way.

[@paulhenshaw4514]

Not with an alloy engine. The clearance between steel gears in an alloy engine increases as the engine gets hotter.

[@timothylong1857]

Try cornucopia motorcycle parts or British only in Austria bits are becoming harder to source or if you know a good machinist 👍

[@MONTY-YTNOM]

Bit of Slik 50 :)

[@andysmith2013]

Is there a description somewhere explaining how the loose shaft was re-fixed to the crank? Can't find it in the preceding episodes.

[@paulhenshaw4514]

Yes, part 5 might be worth a look.

[@andysmith2013]

@@paulhenshaw4514 Thanks.

[@user-yi3gb4bu9o]

100 years ago they knew how to build in good quality, nowadays they know the exact km when you get your first big problems.

[@martinowl]

Yea, about a month after the warranty ends! Lol

[@shug831]

I make more noise and I'm only at 60 years old. 😉