MSD steel distributor gear part number?

[cobra427mnsi]

I don't want to start the steel gear verses the bronze gear debate. I need to know what the part number is for a MSD FE distributor gear.

Presently, I have a 427 center oiler with the MSD 6AL ingnition, including the MSD distributor. This motor is runnung a Crower solid roller cam. I have the bronze gear on there now and it is beginning to show some wear (about 1/6 th of the way through the teeth in about 1200 miles). The gear is also driving a high volume pump which adds to the wear on the gear.

I want to try a steel gear. I will watch for wear on the cam gear.

I need a part number and a source for this gear.

Any help would be appreciated.

Thanks
Paul

[scootter]

I ordered mine from the Ford dealer( Ford Racing) for my MSD. I also had the bronze then bought the steel for my solid roller. Never got to put it in since I had to change the cam and everything. But I still went with the steel gear with the new hydraulic cam.The guys at Ford Racing could probably give you the #. (586) 468-1356.

[lewismc]

If you bought your MSD distributor new, did you check the spec for the dimesnion between the bottom of the distributor and the top of the gear? If that dimension is not within spec you WILL have excessive gear wear. It happened to me.
In my haste I put the steel gear . Approx. 5 miles later I broke the gear on the cam. == Total rebuild.
I'm happier now because I have a much stronger motor after the rebuild but I wouldn't want to do it over again.

Lew

[sharpe 1]

Talk to your cam maker . They will steer you right.

[Anthony]

The MSD distributor for the FE has a larger diameter shaft (same as a 429/460 ford), and you use a steel gear for a 429/460 distributor. When you press the new gear on the shaft, you have to make sure the gear distance specification is correfct, and maintains that distance after pinning it to the shaft.

[Anthony]

Use the Crane steel gear, as it is actually a powdered metal gear, with bronze impregnation from my understanding. Again use the 429/460 application.

[Anthony]

I'm pretty sure the shaft diameter is the 0.531" .


http://www.cranecams.com/pdf/Page536.pdf

[Jamo]

BTW, put a bigger Chevy BB sized pin in whatever gear you use. The one for the FE's a bit small...I snapped one of those in the middle of the Sierras. The one time the bronze gear didn't fail.

[RACER X #99]

I used the Crane steel gear on my MSD with a Bullit solid roller cam. After 100 miles both cam and dist. gears wiped out.
I now use only a bronze gear and replace every year.

Bronze gear about $60
New roller Cam $300

NOT ALL STEEL GEARS WORK WITH ALL CAMS

Bullit recommended the Crane gear

[sllib]

Paul;
Heed Jamo's advice and go up to the 3/16" GM pin with your new gear. It will keep the HV oil pump from snapping the pin. The dist. shaft will have to be re-drilled for the new gear anyway (IAW MSD) and the pin is available from Summit for a couple of bucks.
Bill Stradtner

[Anthony]

X,

One thing that is not talked about much, but I have noticed myself, is that the gear on my comp cams roller cam had sharp leading edges on the teeth, so it was recommended by somebody on this forum, and I did, to use a dremel to buff the edges smooth to the touch. I have not yet ran this motor to see how durable it is. I plan on running a steel distributor gear with it as well. I think I remember in that person's post, that they said they do this on all engines they build with roller cams, and have not seen any wear problems. I think it also depends upon the engine design itself, as some engines may get less oil to the teeth when running, and have a predisposition to gear wear/failure, such as the sbf.

Just curious, did you ever check for this on any of your cams/engines? Maybe this could have been a contributing factor?

[RACER X #99]

Anthony,
Yes I burnished both cam and dist. gear as recommended. My engine spends most of it's time between 4,000 and 7.000 rpms so that might be a factor on the premature wear. Maybe on a street type engine this would not be a problem. I really need a dry sump system by right now can't afford the expense so I will just put on a new bronze gear every year. Lots of budget racers do the same. Cheap insurance.