m44 cam sprockets in m42

[ThisIsTheRanger]

I am finishing up reassembly of my m42 after the idler gear sheared off of the timing case and have just realized something.  The m44 I got my front timing case and cam/crank sprockets off of is missing the tits on the cam sprockets which I assume are for the cam position sensor on the m42.  Are these needed?  What is the purpose of that sensor?  Is there any way to run without it?

[Cristian G in Oz]

Short answer: Yes

they are needed as these are what "trigger" the cam position sensor.  On the M44 they use a different sensor and a "chopper wheel" that bolts onto the front of the cam gear.

You can get M44 cam gears with the triggers on them. The M44 head I just put on my M42 had them already attached to the cams.

I don't know if the M44 sensor will work with an M42 computer. You don't say if it is E30 or E36 M42.  They had slightly different set ups between them and also teh computers are different.

Hope this helps.

Cristian