No more camshaft gears for e30 m42?

[zeedre]

Hi Guys,
Trying to perform a timing chain and bits swap when I noted that my gears seem shot. Can someone confirm my camshaft gear needs to be replaced along with the drive pinion but the idler seems ok?

Then I'm noting that I cant find e30 m42 camshaft gear anymore.  e36 versions seem available tho - are they interchangeable?

[maxnce_]

Hi

first picture: cam gear is pretty worn. rule of thumb is that the teeth of the sprocket shouldn't be to sharp. I would replace it.
second picture: left gear is fine. the teeth are more square/rounded. that gear doesn't suffer so much. I would replace the right one together with the cam gears.

you can get the crankshaft gear at the dealership. I bought mine 6 months ago. The cam gears for e30 318is and e36 318is are discontinued but can be bought on ebay. Search for 318is camshaft sprocket.
As far as I know BMW did not change the cam gears on the e36 m42b18 . Someone should confirm this as I'm not sure.

Check your chain rails whilst you're at it. If a large groove is showing you better replace them as well. Can be bought at the dealership but they are expensive.

Hope this helps you out.

[zeedre]

Yup, Tks for confirmation on the camshaft gear.

I had seen the crankshaft sprocket was still available.  I dug up this pic https://www.ecstuning.com/b-genuine-bmw-parts/crank-timing-sprocket/11211247338/ and it seems the original appearance is'nt that different than what I have - the teeth dont start out in life like the ones on the idler sprocket. I'll have to make a decision on that - so annoying that the chain kit and these gears will be equivalent to the value of the car!!!!

Can anybody confirm about the e36 vs e30  m42 camshaft gear being the same or different?

[DesktopDave]

Crank gear looks good to me. The cam gears look worn. I've never replaced any cam gears, but I'm pretty sure the M42 early & late parts are the same. M44 parts are different. The M44 takes cam synch from a trigger plate on the exhaust cam, M42 from a pin on the intake cam.

Found a half-decent set on eBay, only $40. Shipping from Lithuania might be slow.