I got brand new sprockets and a timing chain. Parts fit, but the crankshaft sprocket (OEM) looks weird. Two teeth are smaller in width. Is this intentional or a manufacturing defect?

 

Never seen that before. Looks intentional.

 

Maybe was broken, then wore smooth. Probably a cleaned up part out of an old engine. I got a cam sprocket like that before.

Not to say it isn't good enough for the job, it should be fine.

 

I bought it brand new OEM from a reputable dealer who sells new parts including genuine LR only.

I ordered another one from a different dealer, let's see how it looks.

 

To me it looks like a poor quality casting overall. If you cleaned them both up and asked me which one to use, I'd say the one on the right looks beat, use the other. I don't mean the stunted tooth but the worn appearance of all the teeth. got a cam gear that looked similar and sent it back. Does the odd tooth line up with the keyway or anything?

 

The new part fits, but it looks very low quality, like polished cast iron, not machined. The original part from the truck is machined, it looks much better quality. The reason why I am replacing gears and chain: wear on parts, lots of slack on the chain. There are wear pattern on the teeth from the chain and if I measure the teeth and the diameter, it is smaller than the new crankshaft sprocket. When you replace a chain you should always replace the gears and vice versa.

 

Such is the story with many aftermarket parts these days. Low quality garbage from Asian suppliers.

 

Timing chains seem to stretch relatively quickly. I think the gears last a long time.

 

112k miles on the engine (came out of a P38). I guess, the timing chain would be good for at least another 30k-80k miles, but since it on the stand for service (new oil pump, water pump, gaskets, seals) and these parts are not that expensive.

 

I hope you are right. Most of the genuine parts I get come in a sealed genuine LR Jag plastic bag.