[Uraeus]

I have now gone through two distributor drive gears on my 351W, Edelbrock Performer carb, cam and intake, Accel point distributor and MSD ignition box. The most embarrasing part is both time the gears gave out in the same place. In front of an appartment building with Hispanic residents. They were really nice and offered me water and tools. Everyone is your friend when you drive FFR. Eight different cars stopped to offer help.

I believe the first gear was my fault because I did not torque the carb studs enough for fear of damaging the aluminum intake. My nice Cobra air cleaner is rather heavy and I believe it loosened the carb as I bumped down the road. A large backfire broke two teeth off of a perfectly good gear.

The second dead gear is stranger than the first. It is a Motor Mite 351W gear that is the only one I could find in town. After two hours of running time, the teeth wore down paper thin with edges that were razor sharp. This time there was no backfire. Instead, the advance changed over a two block run until it was too retarded to run. Turning the distributor for more advance got it started again, but after another blocks the teeth wore through and again no dice on getting it running. One flat bed tow truck and it is in my garage again. This was on the way home from the front end alignment and carb adjustment.

I am using a high-volume oil pump, but I don't think that would destroy a distributor gear in two hours. I wonder if it was just a really crappy gear and if I should try the MSD I ordered from Summit. All three gears are iron, but I don't believe this mild cam should require bronze or steel. What is the consensus on this? Anybody have any ideas?

It was fun for the four blocks I got drive it and as I mentioned, everyone is my friend when I am standing stranded next to my FFR. people asked if it is a Roadster, and I answered, "No, it is a sitting beside the roadster."

[ September 12, 2002, 12:32 PM: Message edited by: Uraeus ]

 

[mikiec]

First question....Does the cam have a steel or cast drive gear.

Second... Are you sure the teeth are matching correctly?

Third...Are the teeth breaking or just wearing off? If wearing off, Where is the wear pattern? Centered, top or bottom of gear?

I have heard of pumps with high volume and high pressure causing dist gear failures. Do not know if this is true or not.

I know not much help but we may be able to narrow it down with these questions.

Mike

 

[Uraeus]

I am going to call Edelbrock to find out for sure, but I believe that this is a cast cam and not forged. The wear pattern on the teeth was centered and appeared to be even all around the gear. The high volume pump provides 40 psi cold and I suppose it could require a different gear. I am going to dig out the first gear and compare it to the second and the new MSD gear. As I mentioned, the first broke due to the backfire, but showed no sign of abnormal wear. The second was worn paper thin, literally to a razor edge. I appreciate any help with this. I may never drive down that street again.

[ September 12, 2002, 01:00 PM: Message edited by: Uraeus ]

 

[JKleiner]

I know I have seen posts mentioning bronze vs. steel distributor gears, however I don't recall all of the particulars. Whatever it is the mismatch of parts is a recipe for the failure you describe. If someone with more insight doesn't respond on this thread you might post it over to the "ask Gordon" section. I'm sure he can set you straight.
Good luck and ride that thing over to Bloomington sometime!
Jeff

 

[Richard Oben]

If it is a roller cam it needs a steel gear. The gears are not interchangable. Cheers Richard.

 

[Jeff Hamilton]

The first thing to do is check to see what your cam is made of (like everybody above has said). I never run a High Volume pump in a small block Ford. I have had problems in the past. The distributor gear is the weak point and drives the oil pump. Summit has the steel gears in stock and they run about $40.
Jeff Hamilton

 

[Hank Dondero]

Dump the pump and put a stock unit in. BTDT with high volume pumps/dist gears/cam gears.

Hank
FFR 1776-II

 

[Uraeus]

Yes indeedy. I called Summit, the cam I have is from Summit but is the same specs as the Edelbrock Performer. The first question they asked was if I was using a High Volume Oil Pump. When I said I was, he said, "Get rid of it. Small Block Fords are notorious for chewing distributor gears when a high volume pump is installed." He said to use a high volume pump requires a forged cam, which no one does in a mild cam like mine, and then to use bronze or steel gears. So everyone here wins the award for knowing their stuff and a hearty thanks for helping me out. Now to change that pump, and re-install anew gear. Anyone know where I can get a single piece oil pan gasket for a pre-'83 351W with two piece main seal?

 

[grumpy]

Ureaus,
The 351's we use the stock pump has been our chosen route and never had this problem, so that might have been the answer after most have aimed in that direction. I have a Melling going in our SCCA/Historic car hope I dont' find the same problem.
grumpy

 

[sbalum427]

I have a 351 block with a roller cam. I took the stock dist gear off and put on a steel gear. (The other is bronze). If you have a roller cam in your car and use the stock 351 windsor gear it will be toast. Just go to a ford dealer and get the steel gear for a 302 and replace it. Good luck man.

 

[sbalum427]

You can get the gasket at the Ford Dealer. Gluck man

 

[Tim Whittaker]

I have the same concern. After an engine failure with a flat tappett hydraulic cam, I went back together with a roller hydraulic. The builder refused to put in a stock pump and insisted on a high volume pump. I'd hate to trash the engine with this oil pump. I have a steel drive gear and an ARP pump drive with an MSD distributor. Any comments other than the above ?

 

[Tim Whittaker]

ttt

 

[Aaron Silidker]

It is my understanding that the problems with distributor gears are with radical cams and strong valve springs. My motor builder insisted and promised me that I would not have a problem with my setup(F cam, ford distributor gear, and mild springs). I took the distributor out after 3 hours and it seems to be fine. Only time will tell though.

 

[Jeff Hamilton]

What are your motor specs? 302 351???? What kind of rpm are you planning on running?
Jeff Hamilton

 

[Tim Whittaker]

I'm also running a 351W and plan on a 6500 RPM rediline. I have a comp hyd roller with .544 lift,AFR 165 heads and MSD ignition.

 

[CobraEarl]

WHAT RICHARD SAID..... If you are running a Roller Cam, YOU MUST USE A STEEL GEAR. An iron gear will fail and can destroy your Cam.

Also, Lose the big oil pump.

ALSO, put a heavy duty oil pump drive shaft in while you are there.

To know if you have a steel gear, put the collar of the gear to a grinder. If you get a shower of bright sparks, its steel. If you get a few dull red sparks, Its cast iron.

earl

[ September 15, 2002, 10:25 AM: Message edited by: CobraEarl ]

 

[Jeff Hamilton]

A stock pump on a 351 is about maxed out at 6500 RPM. The big mains in a 351 take some volume. If it was mine I would put a 6500 chip in it and a stock pump. If you go over 6500 you will need the HV pump. The extra RPM isn't worth the chance at sitting along side the road in my opinion.
Jeff Hamilton

 

[Uraeus]

Aaron, since you have a new thread on this same subject, I guess yur engine builder was wrong. I am bringing this to the top in case some of this info helps.