Small Engines (Lawn Mowers, etc.): Ring gear on Tecumseh cam shaft, nrc cnrc, cam shaft

Question
First off i have to thank you for helping me fix my 1969 Tecumseh. Your suggestion of renewing the ignition worked like a charm.  

Now I have a new problem with another Tecumseh.  The engine in question is a vertical shaft engine with a nylon/plastic ring gear around the perimter of the camshaft.  Four of the teeth have been ripped off.  Will I need to buy a new camshaft or can I press a new ring gear on?  Is this failure serious enough that it is not economically feasible to fix this mower?

Thanks,

jeff
jeff.patten@nrc-cnrc.gc.ca

Answer
I can't say for sure, because the Tecumseh website doesn't have a decent parts finder, but I believe it is all part of the camshaft assembly.  I looked up any old camshaft (because I don't have your engine numbers) and the price was $53.61 USD.  Unless the engine is low hours, which I doubt because  it's a 1969 (like my old Ariens mower which has a pretty good appetite for oil!), I would say it's not worth fixing.  If it is low hours, I'd fix it.  I'd probably be inclined scout out a similar Tecumseh engine (with less hours) and switch over any new parts you have recently replaced on your current engine.  Hope this helps.