Well, here we go again! Yes, it’s the old "Cam Timing Blues" again. This time, however, we have news of a new product that should cure this problem once and for all. As we’ve talked about in several previous Tribune articles, The camshaft chainwheel ("cam sprocket" in street slang) on the 4-cylinder TR engines has four holes which were originally drilled off center to the teeth. This was done to allow adjustments when timing the camshaft, depending on which pair of holes was used to bolt the chainwheel to the camshaft. By rotating the holes clockwise it was possible to change the cam timing by 1/2 tooth forward (or 8 degrees). Same thing in reverse if you went counter-clockwise. By turning the chainwhel back to front you could make a smaller change of 1/4 tooth (or 4 degrees). All this gave you the provision for optimum cam timing. The problem we have these days is with the aftermarket chainwheels that are being made now. Their bolt holes are drillled symmetrically which provides no adjustment at all, no matter which way you turn it. Although we have the tools to measure the timing error, we could do nothing about it. The only solution has been to save old chainwheels and use the best of what could be found. TR vintage race drivers in particular make a serious project of collecting used chainwheels. Now we have another choice. Auto Impex in England has developed a proper vernier chainwheel that is adjustable down to 0 error. It isn’t cheap. It looks like it will sell for around $150.00, but the no-name non adjustable sprocket is at least $50, and that money is wasted because the part does nothing. I have heard that there will also be a similar new vernier chainwheel available of the 6-cylinder TR but haven’t received confirmation yet. More on this later.