Replacing distributor gears - a do-it-yourself job?

Tommy · #1 (**permalink**) 08-28-2002, 08:45 PM

All my searching of this forum indicates I will need to frequently replace the bronze distributor gear (MSD distributor) in my 351W because I have a hydraulic roller cam (Comp Cams). Is this a do-it-yourself job, or a job for my local mechanic, or a job for a high quality machine shop, or a job for MSD? What are you guys running MSD distributors with hydraulic roller cams doing?

Clois Harlan · #2 (**permalink**) 08-29-2002, 06:08 AM

Tommy,

You don't need to replace your dist drive gear all the time if you go with a steel gear that is made for a roller cam. Call Summitt or your Cam Mfg they sell them for about $50. I have installed a new gear on my dist before but for $15 I would have a machine shop do it for me. Some of these gears need a hole drilled for the roll pin and you really don't want to mis-drill your new gear.

Unless you plan on racing your car a lot and you may not want to use the brass gear.

Good luck,

Mr.Fixit · #3 (**permalink**) 08-29-2002, 08:54 AM

It's critical to get the new gear at the right installed height. The last set of instructions I read suggested to not use the roll pin hole already in the dist shaft, but instead to drill a new one perpindicular to it. The gear itself may have the hole in a slightly differednt place. Carefull measuring before and after proved it was ok to reuse the same hole again (last time), but a new roll pin of course.

Jack21 · #4 (**permalink**) 08-29-2002, 05:00 PM

As stated above, use the Ford steel gear for roller cam use. Any Ford dealer, or speed shop that sells FMS parts have them.

Most trouble free way to install would be to take gear, and dist to machine shop.

You can do it yourself if you have a drill press and enough machining skills to drill the gear and shaft.

niles · #5 (**permalink**) 08-29-2002, 05:32 PM

Mr fixit;
How do you setup/measure the correct position/dimension for the gear??

gn

Jack21 · #6 (**permalink**) 08-30-2002, 06:51 PM

It's a little complicated trying to explain without the pieces in front of us. The FMS gear comes with installation instructions and clearance info.

Would recommend taking to machine shop this go around. The machinist should explain how it's done.