Distributor Drive Gear Material

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Jun 23, 2009 | 08:10 PM

#21

formerfoxbody

Racer

Joined: Jun 2006

Posts: 477

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From: Jefferson Georgia

Quote:

Originally Posted by 383vett

A stock chevrolet roller cam will use a iron distributor gear. An aftermarket billet cam will either have an iron gear pressed on and an iron distributor ...

Mean no offense 383 vett, Just saying that the 350 tpi in my 88 coupe that has not been rebuilt and was a roller motor had a melonized gear in it and the 383 I just installed in it with the aftermarket cam is currently running a melonized gear without issues as recommended by a GM engine guy at a local stealership.

Jun 24, 2009 | 07:47 AM

#22

bjankuski

Safety Car

Joined: Sep 2001

Posts: 4,157

Likes: 554

From: Glenbeulah Wi

Quote:

Originally Posted by 383vett

A stock chevrolet roller cam will use a iron distributor gear. An aftermarket billet cam will either have an iron gear pressed on and an iron distributor gear should be used or some billet cams have the gear machined in the billet. In this case, because the billet material is relatively soft, a bronze distributor gear should be used so it would wear before the cam does. Your problem might have to do with a bad cam gear tearing up the distributor gear or for some reason an incorrect meshing of the gears. Years ago, I had a problem with the distributor gear wearing prematurely. I cut a .015 groove in the distributor sealing area right above the gears so the gears would receive some extra lubrication. No problems since.

Cut the groove in the sealing area and your problem will go away.

Jun 24, 2009 | 12:45 PM

#23

mcguirjf

Thread Starter

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Joined: Oct 2006

Posts: 378

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From: East Hampton CT

Going to pick up my melonized GM gear today. I'm also going to put that .030" X .030" slot in the side of the distributor. The slot must be positioned over the cam distributor interface. Lack of shimming is also another possible root cause. See link for how to. I think this would be excellent for the Tech Tip section.

Here are some links to my issue and solution...

http://www.hotrod.com/techarticles/e...ech/index.html

http://www.performancedistributors.com/technical.htm

Jun 24, 2009 | 01:47 PM

#24

GREGGPENN

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From: Overland Park Kansas

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Quote:

Originally Posted by mcguirjf

Nice links and info! Thanks.

I second the motion for Tech Tips.

Jun 24, 2009 | 03:09 PM

#25

383vett

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From: moraga ca

Quote:

Originally Posted by formerfoxbody

I stand corrected.

Jun 24, 2009 | 03:15 PM

#26

Bob86ZZ4

Drifting

Joined: Nov 1999

Posts: 1,801

Likes: 2

From: St. Paul MN

If the gear is wearing in the center portion then shimming it won't be your answer. The shiming just raises it up and down. Mine was wearing right evenly across the gear.

Jun 24, 2009 | 08:20 PM

#27

GREGGPENN

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From: Overland Park Kansas

2020 Corvette of the Year Finalist (appearance mods)

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Quote:

Originally Posted by Bob86ZZ4

If the gear is wearing in the center portion then shimming it won't be your answer. The shiming just raises it up and down. Mine was wearing right evenly across the gear.

Couldn't that happen if your cam is walking? Or if cam bearings are worn?