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Crank gear doesn’t spin


2.9._ranger

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I was rotating my engine to set it to tdc before I get ready to put it back together and the crank gear stopped spinning, only the crank spins so the timing chain isn’t moving, and now the crank gear moves back and forth, in the pictures I showed what happens when I try and rotate the engine, the gear kinda slips and moves backwards and creates a little gap, does anyone know what’s wrong and how to fix this
 

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ericbphoto

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Is the key installed? A worn key will allow the sprocket to wiggle back and forth. A missing key will allow the sprocket and shaft to move independently.

(By the way... gears mesh with gears. Sprockets mesh with chains)
 

2.9._ranger

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Is the key installed? A worn key will allow the sprocket to wiggle back and forth. A missing key will allow the sprocket and shaft to move independently.

(By the way... gears mesh with gears. Sprockets mesh with chains)
I’m not sure I know it’s in there cuz it was spinning fine not even 5 minutes ago but now it won’t what does the key look like, oh I didn’t know that thanks
 

ericbphoto

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My credo
In theory, theory and practice are the same. In practice, they are different.
That piecec that us stuck in a slot on the shaft right there in front of the sprocket is a key. There should be another one between the sprocket and shaft so that they rotate together.

Here is the crank for a 3.0l engine. This one uses one long key for both the timing chain sprocket and harmonic balancer.

The slot that a key fits into is called a keyway.

20240308_164437.jpg
 

2.9._ranger

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That piecec that us stuck in a slot on the shaft right there in front of the sprocket is a key. There should be another one between the sprocket and shaft so that they rotate together.

Here is the crank for a 3.0l engine. This one uses one long key for both the timing chain sprocket and harmonic balancer.

The slot that a key fits into is called a keyway.

View attachment 107228
would that be either of these?
 

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ericbphoto

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Ford Ranger
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3.0 V6
Engine Size
3.0L
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Manual
2WD / 4WD
4WD
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6"
Tire Size
35"
My credo
In theory, theory and practice are the same. In practice, they are different.
Hard to tell in that picture. But it looks like the keyway for the sprocket is empty. Looks like you need another woodruff key.

A woodruff key is kind of half-moon shaped and fits in a half-moon keyway on the shaft and a full slot in the sprocket.
 

2.9._ranger

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Hard to tell in that picture. But it looks like the keyway for the sprocket is empty. Looks like you need another woodruff key.

A woodruff key is kind of half-moon shaped and fits in a half-moon keyway on the shaft and a full slot in the sprocket.
I don’t see any slots in the sprocket
 

2.9._ranger

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I think I found it there’s a piece sticking out the back of the sprocket that I think may be a broken key do you know how I would go about taking it out
 

2.9._ranger

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I think I figured it out it looks like the key is built into the sprocket in this one cuz I can’t pull it out even either the sprocket off, but i think the tensioner slipped and let the key out the keyway so I put it back in the keyway and it spins right but I’m stuck trying to get the tensioner back on rn
 

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