Distributor gear in zz4?
Racer
Joined: Apr 2007
Posts: 477
Likes: 0
From: edmonton alberta
Burning Brakes
Joined: Jul 2006
Posts: 1,230
Likes: 0
From: Sulphur LA
I used the factory dist. gear off of my '88 distributor when I did the ZZ4 swap. within a few months I was pulling the distributor to change the gear because there were no teeth left on the gear! It is designed for a roller cam but the metalurgy is somehow different-- use the one that comes with the ZZ4 motor and install it on your distributor or order it from GM if you just got the short block. You don't want all of those metal shavings floating around your new engine!!
Racer
Joined: Jul 2004
Posts: 389
Likes: 2
From: Howard Beach, NY
I used the factory dist. gear off of my '88 distributor when I did the ZZ4 swap. within a few months I was pulling the distributor to change the gear because there were no teeth left on the gear! It is designed for a roller cam but the metalurgy is somehow different-- use the one that comes with the ZZ4 motor and install it on your distributor or order it from GM if you just got the short block. You don't want all of those metal shavings floating around your new engine!!
Racer
Joined: Apr 2007
Posts: 477
Likes: 0
From: edmonton alberta
a melonized distributor gear is not a different material then a stock gear.melonizing is just a surface treatment that aids in cam/dist gear break in by retaining lube .the melonizing wears off after break in . i always use a new gear with a new cam ,i only use g.m melonized gears .but if you use a normal gear you just got to make sure you use some good assembly lube when you drop it in.
Last edited by etown brawler; Jul 14, 2007 at 05:32 PM.
Burning Brakes
Joined: Jul 2006
Posts: 1,230
Likes: 0
From: Sulphur LA
I should clarify. About 10 years ago, when my father (the mechanic) and I installed the ZZ4 crate engine into my 88 vette, we pulled the distributor out of the original engine and stabbed it into the ZZ4 without any changes. THIS WAS THE WRONG THING TO DO. The two metals weren't compatable and the motor eventually quit running due to the teeth being worn off of the distributor gear. If anyone doing this swap wants to use their stock distributor, the gear must be changed out. I do think I remember hearing the word "mellanized" somewhere along the way.
I hope you got the right gear on there-- white85 -- if not change it now
I hope you got the right gear on there-- white85 -- if not change it now
Thread Starter
Drifting
Joined: Dec 2000
Posts: 1,785
Likes: 91
From: Leander TX
