plate behind gears

[LaggyB]

The plate behind cam gears with 12 o'clock marks.. is that piece mandatory?

[jay]

I think it might have a role to play in keeping the cam seals where they need to stay but can't remember for sure. i think it also locates the timing belt cover. Running without that stuff prolly isn't the end of the world, til something falls in there of course...

[Wildfire0310]

I think it might have a role to play in keeping the cam seals where they need to stay but can't remember for sure. i think it also locates the timing belt cover. Running without that stuff prolly isn't the end of the world, til something falls in there of course...

I don't believe it role in keeping the cam seals. If it does it's just a back up thing. Guys having been running GTX valve cover on the Miatas with out the plate for years without issues.

[jay]

Been long enough since I've dealt with a 1.6 that I couldn't recall.but yeah I spect it's there primarily to provide timing marks. On the street you're orolly fine running coverless if you're looking to show off fancy camgears or something... but if I tried that with the rallykar I might as well just park it, duhhh

[FE3-323]

it is not mandatory. & quite often becomes a problem dropping the 10mm bolts out into the timing belt.
I highly encourage you to remove the plate. it is there however for setting the timing. so you will need to cut it enough to make a slip fit behind the cam gears so you can put in 2 outer 10mm bolts & set the timing. then pull it back out.