Steel Distributor Gears for Fords

djseed · #1 (**permalink**) 01-28-2003, 07:37 PM

After reading about all the problems with bronze distributor gears on steel camshafts I found out that Crane Cams makes steel distributor gears for steel roller cams. I am adding the Crane steel gear to my Crane steel roller cam.

http://www.cranecams.com/master/stdrvgear.htm

David

Dirt Cowboy · #2 (**permalink**) 01-28-2003, 08:04 PM

I see Comp Cams now offers a composite distributor gear. I wonder how they work.

HighPlainsDrifter · #3 (**permalink**) 01-29-2003, 11:02 AM

The problem with dist gears is really an oil pump problem. People put high pressure oil pumps in and run thick 20-50 oil, this is too much strain on the gear and the shear pin on the distributor shaft. I have never had a problem in 30 years with a stock oil pump.
Perry.

Rick Parker · #4 (**permalink**) 01-30-2003, 01:20 AM

They were originally designed for the Winston Cup/Busch crowd in dry sump application only ( no Oil Pump load induced). They have recently completed testing for wet sump applications and have said the rersults were quite promising. I'm told cost is about 3 times that of metal gear and last much much longer, with very little wear on cam and gear. Comp cams has them and others will come on board too. SB Chevy and 351 Windsor currently, 302 to follow (smaller bore). Jury's out.............

[url]www.PerformancePlastics.com

Rick

COBRAMAN 484 · #5 (**permalink**) 01-30-2003, 06:26 AM

You cannot use these gears with just any roller cam.I was told by both Crane and Comp Cams that these gears are only for use with selected camshafts . The cams are for hydraulic use and are made of 8620 material. Solid lifter cams are made with 5160 material and need a bronze gear. I suggest anyone wanting to use anything other than a bronze gear on a roller cam contact the cam manufacturer and check with them.Its better to be safe than sorry.

Peter

750hp · #6 (**permalink**) 02-03-2003, 03:28 AM

This is a quote from Crane's own website about the steel gears.... The use of these gears on camshafts that have been previously run with other types or materials of gears, or the unnecessary use of high volume/high pressure oil pumps, can be severely detrimental to the life of the camshaft gear.

Scary..... I think I still prefer the idea of changing out a $25 bronze gear every year or two, rather than the possibility of chewing up my $$$ custom camshaft.

I really want to ditch my oil pump and go dry sump, but where does the spending stop????