trichard wrote "interesting theory......"
Not a theory--but fact. Apparently it is more expensive to machine an unneeded gear onto the shaft than to have two shafts produced. When I think about all the B21/23 motors I've thrown away I can't believe I'd never saved that shaft--but I didn't. The blown engine in the '93 244 broke the #4 rod - surprising in itself as usually it's #1 that breaks. The broken rod punched a hole in the block-knocked the starter motor off (laying on the highway somewhere) - and broke the shaft just before the last journal--pushing the piece out the plug at the rear of the block and proceeded to bend the flex plate and dent the torque converter. The owner was negligent in letting the motor run out of oil - but her service person wasn't much better---I found a new square tooth timing belt mounted on this round tooth motor--and a disconnected oil pressure switch wire. -- Dave