Timer Shield Question

[dang.1922]

I removed my timer to clean it up and the shield was missing, after buying one and trying to install it I would like to know if it is held tight on the cam shaft and spins with it, if so I will have to turn the outside dia. down so it does not rub the timer or do I enlarge the inside dia. in the shield and the timer will hold it in place? Thank You for any help.--Dan

[Doug Keppler]

Dan I just came across this problem while working on a friends engine. I was installing that shield and it was very tight against the center hole.
The Problem was that piece on the camshaft is the nut that holds on the timing gear and it was loose and worked its way out against the timing cover.
If that nut is tight it should not be hitting the timer shield. Of course if you find that "sleeve" (camshaft nut) loose you will have to remove the timing cover to retighten it and also inspect everthing while in there

[John Warren]

I never have run a shield. The cars (3) have all run fine. I know I am missing something but is there really an need?

[Jim Sims]

All the shield does is hold the felt seal in place. If you use a modern cam seal, you do not need the brass shield.

[Rich Eagle]

I always run one but they become wallered out at the hole in the center. I've questioned the need for a seal here and then oiling the roller. I suppose Henry knew best.

[John kuehn]

The modern cam seal that came out a few years ago is a good improvement over the older original brass cover.
It’s a cheap fix and it works well. I would think that T engine rebuilders would use the modern seal but I guess it’s probably a preference.

[John Warren]

Ahh, yah I run the cam seal. Makes sense now. Thanks

[Steve Jelf]

Yes, the shield was designed to be held in by the timer cover to keep the felt seal in place. Several years ago there were a lot of complaints about reproduction shields being too small for the timer cover to hold them. My engines have the modern seal, so no shield.

[Scott_Conger]

The repro shield has got to be one of the longest-lived, wrong parts ever successfully marketed of all time. I am one of the biggest proponents of "being happy you can even buy a part" even when it needs reworking (and am even happier still, when a "good" part comes out to replace a marginal part). But for the low cost of tooling for such a simple part, and the sheer number of these things sold (and later flung in disgust into the nearest trash can), I am AMAZED they continue to be made wrong.

[dang.1922]

Thank You for all the reply's. The new shield's I.D. is a little too small to fit on the cam shaft and the O.D. is a 1/16" too small to fit correctly so the timer will hold it, into the brass scrap it goes. I want to see if I can do better than the reproduction shield so I am making a die set that will hopefully stamp a shield with the correct size and shape, should be done this week, will let you know how it works. Dan

[Scott_Conger]

Good for you, Dan

Success will make you an instant supplier to the hobby if you choose to be one

[RajoRacer]

I have a "limited" supply of NOS shields, if need be.