Patent ID: 7849827

Claim:
A method of assembling an engine drive system having a crankshaft operable for moving pistons in a reciprocal fashion, having an engine-driven camshaft operable for controlling the reciprocal movement of engine valves, and having multiple rotatable members operatively connecting the crankshaft with the camshaft, comprising: locking the angular positions of the crankshaft and the camshaft; fixing the relative angular orientation of a number of the multiple rotatable members operatively connecting the crankshaft and the camshaft such that one of the multiple rotatable members is movable to vary an angular position relative to the fixed ones of the multiple rotatable members; and after the locking and fixing, adjusting the angular position of the movable one of the rotatable members to align with a fixed one of the rotatable members, and connecting the adjusted one of the rotatable members to the fixed one of the rotatable members for common rotation therewith, thereby determining a minimum clearance between the respective engine valves and pistons when the crankshaft and camshaft are unlocked and the engine is on.