Triumph Repair: gt6 distributor drive, cam shaft, gear teeth

Question
Hi Howard,
I have a 69 gt6, last summer I experienced some problems with my gt6.  It wouldnt start, or run.  I finally figured it out that the distributor drive had slipped a gear or two on the cam shaft.  I have since gotten it running again by changing the distributor wiring to the plugs accordingly.  I was told that I will likely need to pull the motor to replace the gear for the distributor and oil pump.  Is this correct?  Hopefully it is this gear that is worn and not the cam shaft!  Thanks for your advice.   Stan

Answer
Hi Stan,
The distributor drive gear can not slip a tooth unless the gear teeth are broken off of the cam or the oil pump drive gear (which also drives the dist.) You can look at it by removing the dist. and the distributor mount (two nuts) and with a light you can see if the gear teeth are stripped off or broken. You can even lift the gear up out of it's recess and examine it. (Note how the dist drive slot is oriented so you can reinstall it in the correct position. This can be done without removing the engine, However, if the cam gear is stripped or broken you best remove the engine as metal is most likely all through the engine and it needs to be cleaned out and damage to other parts examined.
Howard