'setting' the clearance = the difference between their respective thicknesses. my awkward choice of words caused the, 'huh'?
and my intention was to say that using a bolt to pull the gear flush with the ring, vs using a press to do it, would be more precise(easier) than a press, bec there is a 'hand feel' when the gear and ring come into contact with a wrench, and that doesn't exist with a press. so, theoretically, the gear could be over-pressed. possible stress crack, distortion? could happen. overly concerned? could be
my question is really about the sense of the drill and tap idea for easy gear removal in the event of damage to the teeth. bec, if the gear doesn't come off by removing the bolt and finger- pulling it off, then there isn't much sense to do it. which ties in tapping the front bearing cap and drilling out the cover for ease of removal, so that one doesn't have to drain the oil and remove the pan
under what most likely conditions would one want to remove the cover? change a damaged cam? if so, then the cap tap is of no real value bec one would most likely want to remove the pan to inspect the bottom end. change the cam for performance? then pressing or bolting is moot. change the gear due to damage? with a bolt on, the p-rods, lifters and cam don't have to be removed. that sounds like a sound, 45-60min job to me. otherwise, a pressed on damaged gear, as you know, would involve at least 3x that. similarly with a crank drill and tap for ease, in the event of a damper replacement
