Hello Ron,
I'm kind of with you about pinning the tail mostly on Ford's donkey. I don't really know whether they'll stand behind it or not - I put in a call today but haven't had a call back yet.
The Crane instructions say to use hardened steel for mostly street, bronze for racing (and replace it regularly) and NEVER cast iron, which is apparently what Ford supplied. I believe that the Ford roller cam originally supplied with the crate motor would have worn out their distributor gear in exactly the same mileage - I agree with you that the materials are most likely identical between the two cams since they are both rollers.
I have bit the big bullet and ordered a new Crane cam along with a Crane hardened steel gear. Summit says it is in stock so miracle number one may happen - meaning the parts may actually be sent to me and be the correct ones. The engine should come out Monday and go to the shop on Tuesday. I'll keep the old parts at least long enough to see if Ford wants a look at them.
I only drove the thing 812 miles, but I'm thoroughly hooked! And the first one wasn't even free (veiled drug reference
)!
Regards,
Tom