R16 Timing Components and Cam-SAE vs. Metric
Moderators: notoptoy, S Allen, Solex68
- Curtis
- Site Supporter
- Posts: 4164
- Joined: Fri Jan 01, 2010 2:49 pm
- Location: Des Moines, WA
- Model: 1500/1600
- Year: Low Windshield-64-67.5
Re: R16 Timing Components and Cam-SAE vs. Metric
Mystery was solved, just hadn't checked all MY gears carefully enough.
66 stroker, almost done.
67 basket case, paint coming soon.
67 basket case, paint coming soon.
- Curtis
- Site Supporter
- Posts: 4164
- Joined: Fri Jan 01, 2010 2:49 pm
- Location: Des Moines, WA
- Model: 1500/1600
- Year: Low Windshield-64-67.5
Re: R16 Timing Components and Cam-SAE vs. Metric
Dave suggested I post up some photos from yesterday. I used a deep socket that fit the gears. I took some key stock and ground it down so it would lock the two gears together in the key way. This is different from the way I did it before and gives better results.
Here you can really see the difference of the teeth. SAE gear is in front.
Here you can really see the difference of the teeth. SAE gear is in front.
You do not have the required permissions to view the files attached to this post.
66 stroker, almost done.
67 basket case, paint coming soon.
67 basket case, paint coming soon.
- notoptoy
- Vendor-Site Supporter
- Posts: 9700
- Joined: Fri Oct 02, 2009 2:55 pm
- Location: Winston-Salem, NC and Ocala, FL
- Contact:
Re: R16 Timing Components and Cam-SAE vs. Metric
Great comparison, thanks Curtis.
"When all else fails, force prevails!" Ummm, we're gonna need a bigger hammer here.
67.5 SPL311 H20 w/5 speed
65 Impala Convertible
2017 C43 AMG
67.5 SPL311 H20 w/5 speed
65 Impala Convertible
2017 C43 AMG
- Gregs672000
- Roadster Fanatic-Site Supporter
- Posts: 9428
- Joined: Fri Aug 07, 2009 11:47 pm
- Location: Tacoma, WA
Re: R16 Timing Components and Cam-SAE vs. Metric
Oh no, THAT won't cause any cam timing issues... 

Greg Burrows
'67 2000 #588
Tacoma, WA
'67 2000 #588
Tacoma, WA
- richard
- Roadster Fanatic-Site Supporter
- Posts: 558
- Joined: Fri Oct 10, 2008 11:03 am
- Location: Hoorn, The Netherlands
- Model: 2000
- Year: High Windshield-68-70
- Contact:
Re: R16 Timing Components and Cam-SAE vs. Metric
Are you sure all crank gears are the same?Curtis wrote: Fri Feb 14, 2020 2:17 pm SAE cam sprocket with metric cam. Crank gears are the same.
All I can tell you is it was a major PITA to chase down when you don't know.
- Curtis
- Site Supporter
- Posts: 4164
- Joined: Fri Jan 01, 2010 2:49 pm
- Location: Des Moines, WA
- Model: 1500/1600
- Year: Low Windshield-64-67.5
Re: R16 Timing Components and Cam-SAE vs. Metric
Dean thinks so.
https://www.datsunparts.com/2290
And lower timing chain is the same for 1500/1600/2000.
66 stroker, almost done.
67 basket case, paint coming soon.
67 basket case, paint coming soon.
- richard
- Roadster Fanatic-Site Supporter
- Posts: 558
- Joined: Fri Oct 10, 2008 11:03 am
- Location: Hoorn, The Netherlands
- Model: 2000
- Year: High Windshield-68-70
- Contact:
Re: R16 Timing Components and Cam-SAE vs. Metric
Working on a 3 main right now and I have a 6 degree difference on the crank gear.
- Curtis
- Site Supporter
- Posts: 4164
- Joined: Fri Jan 01, 2010 2:49 pm
- Location: Des Moines, WA
- Model: 1500/1600
- Year: Low Windshield-64-67.5
Re: R16 Timing Components and Cam-SAE vs. Metric
According to JT 6 degrees is about what the wrong cam gear will give you.richard wrote: Wed Mar 09, 2022 11:08 am Working on a 3 main right now and I have a 6 degree difference on the crank gear.
66 stroker, almost done.
67 basket case, paint coming soon.
67 basket case, paint coming soon.
- richard
- Roadster Fanatic-Site Supporter
- Posts: 558
- Joined: Fri Oct 10, 2008 11:03 am
- Location: Hoorn, The Netherlands
- Model: 2000
- Year: High Windshield-68-70
- Contact:
- Curtis
- Site Supporter
- Posts: 4164
- Joined: Fri Jan 01, 2010 2:49 pm
- Location: Des Moines, WA
- Model: 1500/1600
- Year: Low Windshield-64-67.5
Re: R16 Timing Components and Cam-SAE vs. Metric
Better check the cam and gear.
66 stroker, almost done.
67 basket case, paint coming soon.
67 basket case, paint coming soon.
- Curtis
- Site Supporter
- Posts: 4164
- Joined: Fri Jan 01, 2010 2:49 pm
- Location: Des Moines, WA
- Model: 1500/1600
- Year: Low Windshield-64-67.5
Re: R16 Timing Components and Cam-SAE vs. Metric
Here's the key stock modified to check them.
You do not have the required permissions to view the files attached to this post.
66 stroker, almost done.
67 basket case, paint coming soon.
67 basket case, paint coming soon.
-
- Talented Enthusiast
- Posts: 2962
- Joined: Sun Jan 27, 2013 9:43 am
- Location: Cumming, GA
Re: R16 Timing Components and Cam-SAE vs. Metric
To clarify, the SAE vs. Metric cam sprocket difference is about 1/3tooth, each tooth is 9degress on the cam, so 1/3 tooth is 3 cam degrees.
That equals 6 degrees at the crank (since the crank rotates twice as fast/far as the cam gear does)
I checked crank sprockets tonight and there does appear to be a significant difference, so I believe Richard is exactly correct. There was an early part number SAE crank gear 13021-32200 and late Metric 13021-73601
The -32200 has one tooth indexed perfectly with the woodruff key center.
The -73601 is indexed over to the left side of the keyway.
See photos. Since those are crank degrees, it is a mile of difference. (each tooth is 18 degrees) (there is some parallax in the photos, the blades show the correct angles)
The bottom line is never mix up the early sprockets with the late, always use a metric cam with the late sprocket set. and an early cam with the early sprockets.
That equals 6 degrees at the crank (since the crank rotates twice as fast/far as the cam gear does)
I checked crank sprockets tonight and there does appear to be a significant difference, so I believe Richard is exactly correct. There was an early part number SAE crank gear 13021-32200 and late Metric 13021-73601
The -32200 has one tooth indexed perfectly with the woodruff key center.
The -73601 is indexed over to the left side of the keyway.
See photos. Since those are crank degrees, it is a mile of difference. (each tooth is 18 degrees) (there is some parallax in the photos, the blades show the correct angles)
The bottom line is never mix up the early sprockets with the late, always use a metric cam with the late sprocket set. and an early cam with the early sprockets.
You do not have the required permissions to view the files attached to this post.
LT/JT
https://www.datsunrestorationproducts.com/
Only the very BEST parts for your Datsun- 10000's of items in stock
New, Used and Reproduction!
https://www.datsunrestorationproducts.com/
Only the very BEST parts for your Datsun- 10000's of items in stock
New, Used and Reproduction!
- Curtis
- Site Supporter
- Posts: 4164
- Joined: Fri Jan 01, 2010 2:49 pm
- Location: Des Moines, WA
- Model: 1500/1600
- Year: Low Windshield-64-67.5
Re: R16 Timing Components and Cam-SAE vs. Metric
Well damn, another wrench in the works.
66 stroker, almost done.
67 basket case, paint coming soon.
67 basket case, paint coming soon.
- Curtis
- Site Supporter
- Posts: 4164
- Joined: Fri Jan 01, 2010 2:49 pm
- Location: Des Moines, WA
- Model: 1500/1600
- Year: Low Windshield-64-67.5
Re: R16 Timing Components and Cam-SAE vs. Metric
I just checked my crank gears and found the same tooth difference. If you look at the bigger photo of the gear on Dean's site it looks to me to be the later metric number gear. The H20 gear I have is the metric one.
66 stroker, almost done.
67 basket case, paint coming soon.
67 basket case, paint coming soon.
- Curtis
- Site Supporter
- Posts: 4164
- Joined: Fri Jan 01, 2010 2:49 pm
- Location: Des Moines, WA
- Model: 1500/1600
- Year: Low Windshield-64-67.5
Re: R16 Timing Components and Cam-SAE vs. Metric
Can someone who knows how to do this set it up with a degree wheel? Be nice to know exactly what the different setups are.
66 stroker, almost done.
67 basket case, paint coming soon.
67 basket case, paint coming soon.