Thank you gentlemen. I knew some of you had more experience than me with this model tractor. The valves are not moving so I feel safe to assume the timing gear is striped, an old dude told me there was an aluminum gear in there. I started taking the little cover on the right off aftere work today. I may have pull all that stuff up front off to get to it I just don't know yet. I successfully overhauled some automobile engines in my younger days so I think I can save myself some labor on this task, it just happened when I needed it to cultivate some peas and things in my family truck patch. again thanks and I will let you know if I fall on my face or not! have a nice day