timing out

Not really - it's fixed in position with Woodruff key, well 2 actualy. However, it's not unkown for the slot that the key goes into to chip allowing some slack. Just really alarm you, I have seen a couple of cranks which have twisted the end - just prior to snapping.

In short, it's quite unlikely, but possible(ish). If you think you may have a problem, the only real way to rule it out would be to pull the damper off and have a look.

Richard

oooooer that sounds nasty, I've got a squint pulley so it needs to come off anyway for a look, timing was a bit out causing my bad smoke problem, I wonder what caused it to go out...went over a couple of months. thanks Richard, Steve