Peter, first I want you to know I respect the business you have created. The business model of yours, I understand. You design to sell parts, and have found an anecdotal way to sell cam sprockets. I have an entirely different set of skills. I've made tapered shafts and bull gears, up to one that was a 150 lb gear. I know how they work and my knowledge on them is not anecdotal, as you put it. It is factual. Straight out of the Machinist's Handbook. Add that to a little bit of metallurgy and this cam/ sprocket connection is very solid.
So, what I indicate I have no reason to retreat from. I certainly understand the issue. I have no reason to alter my opinion and have Jmodge and oilhammer, whom I respect, in agreement.
In addition, if there is any wear issue, it's the cam sprocket teeth. In which case, the crank sprocket has twice the contact and wear potential. Maybe you should sell more crank sprockets, Peter.
So, I do try to make 'idiot proof', but there is always a 'new and improved idiot'. Ignorance can fixed. Stupid cannot be repaired. My objective is to shed the light on an issue so people will not be ignorant and avoid the issues that 'Jack' was dealt. It does not help to muddy the waters with an ancillary concern that is really not the issue.
Oilhammer, I think it's funny that a poor timing belt job is so prevalent that it deserves an abbreviation. As for the TDI-CSI, this one started out simply enough; trying to keep a hack from replacing a relatively low mileage engine and then it spun way out of control. I hate to see people being bilked.