OK, now I'm confused. My Rotax B gearbox (3.0 ratio) mounted on my Rotax 583 has a different crankshaft gear that I've not seen before. The crankshaft gear is extended to fit into a caged needle bearing in the normally unused extension (pop-out) in the gearbox front case, below the prop shaft. This different PTO gear is not shown in any parts list or diagram of any B box info I've seen. The engine and gearbox casting dates are 1990.
I'm having a binding issue, which is the reason I disassembled the gearbox from the engine to check things out. This is a never run engine/gearbox (0 time). The engine itself turns over freely, as does the disassembled gearbox.
Is this extension and needle bearing setup something Rotax tried then discontinued, or what???
Any info is much appreciated!!
Dave