we have dismantled 2 holt motors and found the gear on the front of crank shaft is badly worn; is this a common problem with these motors or is it my luck to have the only 2 with same problem.

We're not ignoring you:D ......just don't know:o

Hi Stuss,
if I recall correctly the 2TON -T35 timing gears were worn most on the crank gear by the thin oil pump drive gear, and, on the large idler gear by the water pump drive gear which also drives the fan drive gear and cam gear.
We closed our eyes and put them back together after champhering the gear tips and sides to stop any chance of the wear steps causing end thrust on its meshing gear. This is especially important if one uses thinner gaskets to assemble the unit-- Most especially the oil pump drive as it creates excessive thrust loads on the flanks of its drive gear resulting in oil pump seizure.
This occurs when the driven tooth butts up against the wear step in the drive gear.
Hope this helps and not confuses, Regards
Eddie B.

Thanks Eddie. I figured this is what I would have to do, just needed some clarification.

Had a Cat 2-Ton open once that had the fan gear worn razor sharp on all of the teeth. The owner did not want to look any deeper so I do not know what the crank gears looked like.
Thanks
Ken