Worn camshaft gear..... HELP!!

[Rustjunky67]

Hi all,
Ok so full disclosure.... I'm not versed in engine overhaul or much beyond basic tune ups/ brakes/ etc
I have a 1994 k1500 with NV4500.
I decided to replace power steering hoses and pump and all grounds....
While doing so I realized I had what appeared to be intake manifold leak so I decided to try my hand at this and learn something in the process....
Well today I was about to reinstall the intake and decided to look in all the holes just out of curiosity of what I could see.
The included pic shows what I saw upon looking down the distributor hole at the camshaft gear (not sure of correct terminology).
How badly am I screwed?
Can I pull the camshaft out and just replace that gear?
What advice or tips/tricks should I be aware of before attempting this?
Thank you guys in advance for any help you can provide me.

 

[bretcopsey]

That gear is not replaceable on the cam. Distributor gear is, but worn gear on cam would require replacing the camshaft. Replacing the cam means replacing lifters too. And if you get that far into it, how many miles are on the engine? Timing set need replaced…..? and so on…

 

[Schurkey]

That cam gear is done. Therefore, you need a new cam, and probably a new distributor gear. In that you almost certainly have a flat-tappet camshaft, you'll almost certainly need new lifters, too.

As said...this project can easily balloon into a total engine overhaul.

 

[JOHNGAAA1]

New Engine.

 

[Rustjunky67]

THANKS for the advice guys..... not really what I was expecting to find, and definitely not what I want to hear....
What's funny is the distributor gear is basically fine, just some very light contact marks in the middle of the gear.... so I never expected I would see this.....
Can somebody venture a guess as to what may have caused this? I've had really no luck searching out much of any info on this situation....
What should I look for when/ if I decide to proceed with replacing the camshaft?
What parts are absolute necessary in the best case scenario, should by some miracle there's no other signs of damage?
Can I do an engine flush a couple or three times with oil or some cleaner to get rid of any metal particles present?
This is my daily driver and my only means of earning income at the moment so needless to say I'm losing money as I type. And it was running fairly good other than a hesitation/ stumble under 2krpm which I suspected was a fuel issue and had planned to check fuel system after I got through with the ps pump and grounds....
What a kick in the freaking nuts!!

EDIT: I was gonna attach some pics and decided to take some fresh ones and upon further inspection it appears there is more wear than i originally realized after looking at the gear dead on from the end....

 

[Rustjunky67]

That gear is not replaceable on the cam. Distributor gear is, but worn gear on cam would require replacing the camshaft. Replacing the cam means replacing lifters too. And if you get that far into it, how many miles are on the engine? Timing set need replaced…..? and so on…

That cam gear is done. Therefore, you need a new cam, and probably a new distributor gear. In that you almost certainly have a flat-tappet camshaft, you'll almost certainly need new lifters, too.

As said...this project can easily balloon into a total engine overhaul.

Guys I added some pics above if that is of any interest.... Also will be adding a video below

 

[Rustjunky67]

Well the video is too large so unless I can figure out how to get it posted, I guess maybe some pics of bottom lobe of dizzy.... the taper fluctuates as I rotate the shaft housing..... is this a clue?

 

[Schurkey]

What parts are absolute necessary in the best case scenario

Camshaft
Lifters
Distributor gear
Timing cover gasket set
Oil pan gasket unless it's got a "reusable" rubber gasket in great condition
Intake manifold gasket set
Oil and oil filter
Coolant

Probably want
Torsional damper speedy-sleeve
Valve cover gasket set
Timing set
Radiator hoses if they're old

MAYBE it's cheaper to buy an engine-overhaul gasket set, than to buy the gaskets individually.

Can I do an engine flush a couple or three times with oil or some cleaner to get rid of any metal particles present?

You "can". Whether that's going to be effective is another issue. By the time you run the engine, the debris circulates with the oil, embeds on the piston skirts and enters the lifters. You wouldn't want that debris in your new lifters.

If you're not going to pull the engine apart for cleaning, at least wash-down the cylinder heads and lifter valley with Diesel or Kerosene, then remove the oil pan for cleaning.

 

[Rustjunky67]

Probably want
Torsional damper speedy-sleeve
Timing set

Thank you very much....I have the intake gaskets and valve cover gaskets already as I was in the process of doing those when I found the camshaft issue. I have 2 questions thought l though:

A) I have ZERO clue what the hades a torsional damper speedy sleeve is and
B) by timing set do you mean the gears that timing chain runs on?

 

[Rustjunky67]

Oh and one more question.....
What camshaft, lifters, and timing set do you recommend?
Straight stock 94 k1500 5.7 tbi