Timing gears vs. timing chain
Thread Starter
Pro
Joined: Jan 2009
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Timing gears vs. timing chain
Did a search, couldn't find anything useful.
Contemplating timing gears iso timing chain for a 383 build.
Anybody running timing gears?
Pro's and con's?
How loud are the "quiet" gears vs a chain?
Anybody have video w/sound?
Not interested in a loud whine, some noise OK but not the blower whine with no blower
Gear kits seem to go for about $60 on Ebay.
Opinions?
Contemplating timing gears iso timing chain for a 383 build.
Anybody running timing gears?
Pro's and con's?
How loud are the "quiet" gears vs a chain?
Anybody have video w/sound?
Not interested in a loud whine, some noise OK but not the blower whine with no blower
Gear kits seem to go for about $60 on Ebay.
Opinions?
Melting Slicks
Joined: Sep 2005
Posts: 2,700
Likes: 898
From: Warminster PA
I never saw the real benefit of gears. I raced a mid 9 sec BB Camaro for years with a double roller chain and never had a problem.
When you tie the crank and cam together with gears you run the risk of increased harmonic vibration transferred to the valve train. Over time this could weaken the valve train leading to part failure. I remember reading an article about this several years ago. The chain is able to dampen the vibrations.
If it was me, I'd stick with a high quality chain set and put the money I saved towards other areas to increase performance.
Tom
When you tie the crank and cam together with gears you run the risk of increased harmonic vibration transferred to the valve train. Over time this could weaken the valve train leading to part failure. I remember reading an article about this several years ago. The chain is able to dampen the vibrations.
If it was me, I'd stick with a high quality chain set and put the money I saved towards other areas to increase performance.
Tom
Thread Starter
Pro
Joined: Jan 2009
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When you tie the crank and cam together with gears you run the risk of increased harmonic vibration transferred to the valve train. Over time this could weaken the valve train leading to part failure
A lot of these books seem to have pet peeves or an agenda so I am looking for some "on the street" experience.
I'm still on a steep learning curve here so trying to get info from as many different sources as I can get.
Thanks for the replies so far, keep 'em coming.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Apr 2006
Posts: 5,403
Likes: 95
That's what they state in the Hi-Perf Chevy Small Block " cams & valvetrains" book, but they are also heavily promoting the Jesel timing belt which is $$$$ so that makes me take it with a grain of salt.
A lot of these books seem to have pet peeves or an agenda so I am looking for some "on the street" experience.
I'm still on a steep learning curve here so trying to get info from as many different sources as I can get.
Thanks for the replies so far, keep 'em coming.
A lot of these books seem to have pet peeves or an agenda so I am looking for some "on the street" experience.
I'm still on a steep learning curve here so trying to get info from as many different sources as I can get.
Thanks for the replies so far, keep 'em coming.
Last edited by Little Mouse; Jan 30, 2010 at 03:53 AM.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Sep 2001
Posts: 7,739
Likes: 630
From: Unreconstructed, South Carolina
I have a gear drive setup with "one million five hundred thousand " miles on it gears still look like new never has caused any valve train problems, four valve springs per cylinder, pushrods, 25 pounds of boost behind the two intake valve springs per cylinder, oil pump gear driven off the cranksaft, waterpump gear driven, air compressor gear driven, mechanical fuel injection pump gear driven
Drifting
Joined: Aug 2005
Posts: 1,682
Likes: 3
From: League City TX
The only good reason to go gear drive is if you just like the sound.
Be warned though that even if you think you like the sound now, many tire of it very quickly.
From a performance standpoint, youd be just as well off with a $20 timing chain set.
Be warned though that even if you think you like the sound now, many tire of it very quickly.
From a performance standpoint, youd be just as well off with a $20 timing chain set.
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Pro
Joined: Apr 2008
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From: Irving Texas
I never used one because I heard one on a car I was going to buy.
I walked up to the car, heard the whine(it was idling) and asked the guy if it has a blower.
He said no why? Apparently, he had gotten used to the whine over time....but I definately noticed and vowed to never use one.
Of course, I'm the guy with a clutch fan because I can't stand the sound of electric fans.
I walked up to the car, heard the whine(it was idling) and asked the guy if it has a blower.
He said no why? Apparently, he had gotten used to the whine over time....but I definately noticed and vowed to never use one.
Of course, I'm the guy with a clutch fan because I can't stand the sound of electric fans.
Drifting
Joined: Nov 2007
Posts: 1,701
Likes: 272
From: New York
I recently had an engine built for the car. I wanted a gear drive set-up. The macjinist recommended a cloyes true roller over the gear drive. His feeling was the gear drive may be superior in a car like Porsche where they spared no expense on the gear drive set up and it was a quality unit. But a Pete Jackson drive would probably be made in China nd for $60, not an quality unit.
His opinion.
His opinion.
Burning Brakes
Joined: Oct 2009
Posts: 782
Likes: 1
From: Magic Valley ID
Deja
Team Owner
Joined: Jul 2004
Posts: 40,368
Likes: 787
From: Redondo Beach, California
I
When you tie the crank and cam together with gears you run the risk of increased harmonic vibration transferred to the valve train. Over time this could weaken the valve train leading to part failure. I remember reading an article about this several years ago. The chain is able to dampen the vibrations.
Tom
When you tie the crank and cam together with gears you run the risk of increased harmonic vibration transferred to the valve train. Over time this could weaken the valve train leading to part failure. I remember reading an article about this several years ago. The chain is able to dampen the vibrations.
Tom
........However, for $700+, you can buy from Comp Cams a timing BELT, not a timing chain and not a gear drive. Comp Cams claims their rubber/composite timing belt damps out all harmonic vibrations.
Drifting
Joined: Aug 2005
Posts: 1,682
Likes: 3
From: League City TX
Thats the same reason I didnt mention the chains superior ability to dampen harmonics. Even if it is true (and it is) you will never notice it.
Instructor
Joined: Jan 2010
Posts: 109
Likes: 0
From: Caldwell Idaho
OMG! you will think the whine is cool for a week or two...but after that it will drive you up the wall and unschooled people will think your motor has a problem. As for the argument the gear drive is more precise over he chain, sure it is but for a street application and not a actual track car where you are banking on a 10th of a second, why bother. Trust me, do a cruise on a Saturday night for a few hours and the whine of the gears will just muddle your brain.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Nov 2008
Posts: 5,691
Likes: 12
From: columbus oh
I never used one because I heard one on a car I was going to buy.
I walked up to the car, heard the whine(it was idling) and asked the guy if it has a blower.
He said no why? Apparently, he had gotten used to the whine over time....but I definately noticed and vowed to never use one.
Of course, I'm the guy with a clutch fan because I can't stand the sound of electric fans.
I walked up to the car, heard the whine(it was idling) and asked the guy if it has a blower.
He said no why? Apparently, he had gotten used to the whine over time....but I definately noticed and vowed to never use one.
Of course, I'm the guy with a clutch fan because I can't stand the sound of electric fans.
the gear setups whine is tedious and loud.
chevy had a gear drive on all the production early sixes and it was quiet but one gear was fiber, prone to breakage.
even if you stretch a timing chain to a 5 deg stretch (slack) that is only 2 1/2 cam deg.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Apr 2006
Posts: 5,403
Likes: 95
80 model 3406A cat. the mechanical pump never needed a rebuild in those miles either I did have to take the pump off one time the o-rings between the block and pump started seeping oil. these later trucks with overhead cam electronic fuel injection damn electron controled injectors just last so long.
Last edited by Little Mouse; Jan 31, 2010 at 03:48 AM.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Apr 2006
Posts: 5,403
Likes: 95
comp cams timing chain 633.5 HP
Milidon fixed gear drive 636.3 HP
dual idler (pete jackson style) 634 HP
jesel belt drive 633 HP
tested on a 440 chrysler
virtually all the same power, both style gear drives edged out the chain and belt. summer 2007 engine masters, volume 10, NO. 2
If you don't want any gear noise just use an inexpensive chain, belt drives zero need for one on a street engine, very expensive.
The pete jackson dual idler gear drives fairly cheap if you want one.
Milidon fixed gear drive 636.3 HP
dual idler (pete jackson style) 634 HP
jesel belt drive 633 HP
tested on a 440 chrysler
virtually all the same power, both style gear drives edged out the chain and belt. summer 2007 engine masters, volume 10, NO. 2
If you don't want any gear noise just use an inexpensive chain, belt drives zero need for one on a street engine, very expensive.
The pete jackson dual idler gear drives fairly cheap if you want one.
Last edited by Little Mouse; Jan 31, 2010 at 05:00 AM.
