Anyone know why there are 3 alignment pin holes in the cam(s) and gear(s) ?
Out of the factory the pin is in the center hole. Moving it clockwise or anticlockwise would advance or retard the valve timing. You might need to advance the timing if you milled the head or block. But why would you ever need to retard it ?

and you certainly don't want to adjust timing via the cam gear

you wouldn't want to advance it either... most people when doing mods to their car etc usually retard the timing or get aftermarket cam gears... useful.. for as you say.. the head being milled way out of spec :)

hth

There`s not much adjustment in the pin location: + or - 1.5 degree. A tooth,I believe, is 7.5.

if you must adjust your timing do it properly... use the cps or dizzy... and only adjust it if you know for definite what you must change it to

if you change the cam gear onto a different pin you will knock out your timing terribly.. it will be in limp mode.. it won't rev out past 2500rpm (or at least on the gte... what with electronic ignition and all)

i believe they're 1deg each pin? not sure.. haven't measured... have no need to as i have a cps ;)

That kinda brings me back to the original question. Why are the holes there in the first place ?
Some mechanical engineer`s twisted sense of humor ?

ummm probly the same engineer that torqued our heads down?? :ph34r:

hahahaha, how true, when toyota's are usually so overbuilt it's not even funny...