C4 Tech/Performance L98 Corvette and LT1 Corvette Technical Info, Internal Engine, External Engine

Distributor gear?

Old Oct 26, 2008 | 10:02 PM
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Default Distributor gear?

On my new 383 with the Howards solid roller cam will I need to change the bottom gear on the dist. to a bronze one? If not will it chew up the cam or dist. gear? Pipe
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Old Oct 26, 2008 | 10:57 PM
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If it is a billet cam you probably need a bronze gear. The distributor cam needs to be softer than the camshaft to protect the camshaft. Go with the cam manufacturer's recommendation.
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Old Oct 28, 2008 | 09:47 PM
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Tapped out the roll pin on the dist gear and removed it. Isn't there two different sizes of gears? Pipe
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Old Oct 29, 2008 | 12:02 AM
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I used a bronze gear and changed to a compsite gear. the bronze gear started to show wear so I change to the light weight compsite.
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Old Oct 29, 2008 | 01:16 AM
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Default gear

check with your cam manufacturer, most of the new rollers are coming out with a cast gear that is compatible with the original distributor gear.
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Old Oct 29, 2008 | 09:05 AM
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or a "mellonized" (not sure about the spelling) gear; that's what I have in my roller cam set up; ate the stock distibutor gear up and stranding me; no one told me, but I guess I should have done my research ahead of time....
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Old Oct 29, 2008 | 12:13 PM
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I run a mellonized gear on my SR cam. No issues with wear.

Make sure you check for proper alignment of the distributor gear and the cam gear if you have significantly changed the intake / heads. My MRII did not allow correct alignment with the AFR195CPs way back and chewed up two distributor gears on a HR cam (minor machine work and all was well). Food for thought.
Aaron
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Old Oct 29, 2008 | 01:00 PM
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Originally Posted by M. Schumacher
Go with the cam manufacturer's recommendation.
I agree. A call or an email would provide some assurance.

Originally Posted by Pipe
Aren't there two different sizes of gears?
The gear dimensions are the same, however there are two sizes
for the through-holes for the distributor shaft: 0.425” [Small Cap]
and 0.491" [Large Cap].

There is some further information about d-gears in a past thread
that may be helpful.

.
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Old Oct 29, 2008 | 05:26 PM
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Thanks for all the reply's. Where can I buy this mellonized gear at? The block was 0 decked has a set of Brodix Track 1 heads with a Mini Ram. I wonder if i'll have any issues? I might have to add some shims under the dist. to raise it some so it won't bottom out in the block. Pipe
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