HELP! MSD Distributor Gear Shredded

[Jamo]

Moved to the Ignition forum to keep it current easier. Saw the same discussions on recent threads in the FE forums as well if the threadstarter wants to see some additional discussions.

[PatBuckley]

Originally Posted by Jamo

Becoming an vintage story around here, but I have several bronze gears on my desk as paper weights and letter openers (sharp teeth...yanked them before FUBAR hit). Had a sold roller for a year, not hardened cam gears at the time (2003-4) so bronze gears was it application-wise. A very disposal item in such applications (save the cam). Finally went to a solid flat tappet...nice iron gear has lasted since 2004 (I still have the habit of pulling the damn thing and checking twice a year). And yes...high output oil pump.

The polymers were just coming out...

Do NOT forget to drain every damn oil line, including the oil cooler (get it flushed, then do it again, and then do it again).

Find out what the cam company wants on the distributor.

I was very pleased tht you made the change.

[Jamo]

LMFAO!!!!

I had to...you damn near cried when your new Gashole t-shirt got dirty.

[RICK LAKE]

Jamo, I went to what you see. From .125" to .156 is only .030" There is only about .150" left per side which is not alot. also went with a spiral pin. I stripped the first pin of 1/8" spiral with 135 psi and cold 15w-50 oil. I don't know why you would compare a SBC to an FE for any thing??? Lower oil pressure, wider bearings, lite bottom end, a better engineered motor in some parts. Yes they have 3/16" pins. Cheap to break, cheap to rebuild.
Have gone back to 1/8" spiral pins with everything listed above double checked and motor getting warm up. Polymer gear still look like new going on season 6. Lite Springs, limited camshaft travel, and added oiling have helped extend gear life. Limited rpm range also may have helped too.
Looking forward next year to a Cali trip. Hope that Joe B. is still kicking. I would like to hear the story behind Smithy 198 mph motor with tricks. Fresno is a small town may hunt you down to, with eggs Big fan of Hollywood Knights. Have a nice day. Rick L.

[Jamo]

LMAO...come on over!

Rick...honestly, I've never heard of anyone splitting a distributor shaft by putting a Chevy pin in it. I run high pressure (not extreme like you) and heavy oil...generally 50w, and no problems.

I obviously don't use a cheap pin...good rolled one.

Not comparing the motors...just the pins.

I guess Chevy will have to do a recall for all of the split distributor shafts.