What year did they start making the gear drive for the sbc? I want to run one in my 283 I am going for a late 50's early 60's period correct build. Thanks, Jackson
Pete jackson was making them late 60s. stovebolts were gear to gear from the factory, so it wasn't unheard of.
Gm had small block gear drive for marine use in the 60's... Gear to gear...no idler. Takes a special cam (backwards) Dave Sent from my DROID device using the TJJ mobile app
A lot of people run the less expensive gear drives like the Pete Jackson. There's several sources, some good, some junk. Sometimes you can have a hell of a time getting your cam timing exactly where you want it. If you step up to a single (fixed) idler set-up you won't regret it. You can't see whats under the cover .......
I have made good money over the years replacing gear drives in SBC's with stock chains, usually a few thousand miles after the guy got the engine from the builder. Just too damn loud!
If you've never heard one and plan on driving your car long distance you may want to do yourself a favor and find someone running a Pete Jackson to give it a listen. Sounds pretty cool for a few minutes but after a couple of hundred miles my old ears would be ready for a break. Might want to give this site a look for some options http://www.cloyes.com/HighPerformance/Products/tabid/253/language/en-US/Default.aspx
The guys are right, you just think you want one. Most people who put them in go back to a double roller set pretty quickly. They think it is cool to have a fake blower sound, but it is more like driving around with a bad power steering pump, and most people view you as a poser. Don
I like Gear drive. They sound cool. but it takes a specific person. Kinda like a locker. Many dont like the clunk.
Yes they are noisy, but I spose so is my solid lifter roller cam & rockers, my 12.8 to 1 compression engine, my twin straight thru 4"mufflers, my Richmond trans and my straight cut quick change gears, oh thats right I'm driving and living my hot rod dream, dang!
It does not take long for anyone who thought they wanted the cool sound of a gear drive to realize they made a huge mistake. However you are going to do it anyway, so get ready to hear "I told you so" from everyone.
Noise wasn't the question!! Or everyones opinion it was "about when they started using them".I can see another Rant starting!lololol JimV
It won't be correct for your late 50's, early 60's deal. I never heard of anyone using gear drives on the street 'til much later.
No, the question wasn't about the noise. The O.P. stated..... The posts that followed were/are solid advice as to why not to run them! Isn't that what we're here for.
I ran one of the first Isky reverse rotation gear drives in the SBC in my RPU in 1961. Ran it 8 years on the street and strip with no trouble. Could not hear it over the solid lifters. If you use a 2 gear set up like the Isky, you'll need a reverse rotation gear for the distributor too.
Just to add a little gasoline to the fire: A guy named Bus Schaller made and sold 1/4 speed gear drives and camshafts in the early '60s. Hot Rod did a lengthy article about it and it was in the Yearbook. (1964, I think). I'd buy one today just to have it!
I think gear drive is like sticking a cu***ber in your pants. Everyone knows it is fake and you are a poser. It does *not* sound like a blower. It is obnoxious sound, even the quiet versions. Just say no to gear drives.
I like mine...I guess I'm a poser. Of course, I don't mind if my "hot rod" is a little noisy and obnoxious...I thought that was the point. I also have to wonder if the "it's too loud crowd" might be happier driving a Camry. BTW, it sounds just like a gear drive to me.....where do you guys get this "fake blower" thing ??
He didn't ask any reason to run or not run em!He just said he "wants to run them" & if they are period correct for late 50's early 60s"!! "wingman9" is the only person who answered it correctly! He wins a 1 week vacation in NJ for 1st place answer. "GearheadsQCE" get 2nd place price... 2 weeks in NJ! JimV
Don't do a gear drive. A double roller chain is the way to go. If you do go the cu***ber route just make sure its not it the back.
Cu***ber in front......check. You guys are kinda funny....it's too loud, it robs horsepower ( yeah right, i suppose it robs a total of a 1/8 HP over a double roller), Poser, guys say....If you don't like it personally, that's fine, but really ??? hearsay on the HAMB ??? BTW, mine was already on an engine I bought, I had a double roller set new in the box, but thought I'd give it a try....I don't mind it at all, and I do drive my car. I can hear it around town, but not on the highway....I guess because of the header mount gl***packs, 3100 RPM at 70 MPH, and the fact that my windows are rolled down, you know, for the climate control. Oh, and yeah, for your "era" build, it wouldn't be correct......
I love it when somebody says a gear drive robs horsepower. In tests I've read a gear drive wont even cut 5 hp from a SBC, vs. a double roller chain. If you're worried about less than 5hp, you're a pretty serious racer, not a typical street rodder. Yeah they're noisy, but it seems to bother all the people who don't have them more than the guys who do! I doubt most of those objecting to them have ever owned a car with a gear drive set in it. And yes, I do have a gear drive in my g***er, and I'm not tired of it after 7,000 miles.
So to sum things up.......... Those that don't have it are against it. Those that do have it are for it. Or just are saying they are for it 'cause they don't want to admit that gear drives are a P.I.T.A. and don't want to take it back out!
I think if it was a Jenkins pro stock motor ca 76 it would have a chain drive for problems with cam dynamics and resulting ignition stability (pre crankfired days), not direct horse pressure loss.
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