The engine click again-prior thread shown in message.

[Fred K-OR]

Hello again. I had posted a prior thread (shown below) where many of you gave me ideas as to what this click could be. Well the temps around here got high enough so I would not freeze while working on the old A so I took the side timing gear cover off.

https://www.fordbarn.com/forum/showthread.php?t=88415

If you remember I mentioned a click in the engine. I did all of the usual things to check for it and came up with nothing. So I took off the side timing gear cover and found some interesting stuff. First of all, right in front of me, was a part of a tooth missing on the timing gear (see photos). Second I pried the timing gear toward the front of the engine and it moved with ease (about 1/8 inch) and stayed where I pried it to. It then moved back if I nudged it with a screwdriver. (see another photo).

So the questions I still have are: 1) would a missing part of a tooth in the timing gear make a clicking sound when the engine runs (third photo)? Should I change the timing gear because of this tooth problem? Could not find any other problem with teeth. 2) I know some of you said I should put in a new thrust spring (first photo out, second photo back). Based on the fact that the timing gear moves forward and stayed there, could this be the problem?

Would appreciate any comments you all may have. I know it still could be a loose tappet but thought I would check out the timing gear first. Thanks again for the help.