Hey guys, I'm doing a bunch of stuff to my 63 chevy truck to freshen it up. It's got a 327 in it and I've decided to put a gear drive on it while I got it somewhat apart, just because I really like the sound. Now I've done plenty cam swaps and the such and am pretty comfortable with the install but I'm wondering if I can do it without having to loosen up all the rockers. I know it's not that big a deal but for some reason I've always hated adjusting rockers and since there's no other reason to can I do it by just lining up my dots on the gears before I pull em and then just swap em, or will the pressure on the rockers cause the cam to turn and mess things up. Or if that did happen could I put the gears on and then turn the cam back to line em back up and slip the idler gears in place? Anyone done this before or is it more trouble than it's worth? THanks,
you should be able to just line it up, pull off the sprockets, and put on the gears....assuming you get a set that does not require machining the block or some other such nonsense. of course if you happen to turn the crank when using the puller to remove the lower sprocket, and bump a piston into an open valve and bend it, you'll be wishing you had removed the rockers first.
Thanks. It's a Pete Jackson so they say it shouldn't need any machining. I'm more worried about the cam turning than the crank. I figured if I leave the plugs in so I have compression in some of the cylinders it should be stable enough if I'm careful. Also, how big a problem is cam runout with a stock timing cover? THey all say "goes under stock cover" but the local speedshop guy says I really need one thats reinforced so it doesn't flex. I can see that being critical on a race motor but how big an issue is it on a mild street motor. A timing chain has no shims and stuff and I would think that even though the chain keeps it from going far it has to move some as well.I figure the cover can't flew much more than the chain. Do I really need one or is he just trying to sell me parts? Thanks again guys for your help.
I have one under a chrome cover, which seems to be a stock cover. I did have to put on double gaskets to get the clerance I needed . Its been on there for about 10yrs without a problem. I would not remove my rocker arms to put one on, but thats just my opinon. Carlg
If you are really worried about "cam walk" just put a phenolic or nylon thrust button in the center of the cam gear during reassembly.I dont like the aluminum ones as they seem to make small paticulate matter.The stock cover is plenty tuff enuff to handle the thrust.No you shouldn't have to remove the rockers.That whine does sound kinda cool just listening to it go by on the street or in the pits at the races but listening to that whine for miles and miles is another story entirely.LOL It's kinda like a mosquito buzzing around your head,it'll drive ya nuts in the long haul . T.OUT
Thanks guys, thats exactly what I needed. Anyone else, please post your experiences. Yeah, I've always loved that sound. It's a play toy for cruisin on weekends and going to shows and runs and won't have to be a daily. I'm sure I'll drive it alot but can always take the 98 if I need a break. Didn't really know if I needed to be worried about it. Where could I get a nylon cam button? Might have to look into that.
i run a pete jackson under mr gasket chrome cover. it has been in for 3- years now no problems . did you get the one that makes noise or the quiet one they sell both
Definately got the noisy. Really just getting it cause I like the sound and I've always wanted one. It's got a mild cam in it but I want it to be pretty quiet and real mellow. Just alot of gear noise. I like when folks ask if it needs power steering fluid.
I can't imagine anyone putting in a gear drive and admitting that they like the noise, that's insane. There is a functional purpose for a gear drive besides noise. If you want to make meaningfull noise, buy a blower!
well the $35 bucks for the gear drive from a buddy sounded like the best deal to me at the time but i guess i could be wrong $2000.00 might be cheaper
also i guess guys that dont have high horse power motors shouldnt put dual pipes or headers on eather that would just be stupid noise also
I know alot of folks say they sound the same but to me a blower whistles more. I would love to have a big ass blower motor but like it was pointed out the $100.00 for the gear drive and the $2000 for the blower just don't compare. I'm a school teacher so the budget is a factor.
Obviously a blower motor is by far more expensive by comparison. I have also run Pete Jackson's gear drives for the sake of accurate cam timing and his product is not all that noisy when compared to the products/adds in some of the magazines that specifically state that they make huge noise. I myself would not want the noisy versions as I drive the car often and for long distances. I have a set of Isky direct drive gears, the small crank gear mates with the much larger cam gear, it also makes the mag rotate backwards, so a mirror image dist drive gear is necessary. The Vertex is excellent and they are swap meet jewels, if you look hard enough, you can get a deal. The way I've chosen to drive the thing makes less noise that a conventional timing chain but I also carry some spare parts just in case. Headers are a must, don't have to be noisy........................I'm not loaded but if you make some prudent decisions you can make some horsepower for a reasonable price. Best investment; good heads.........roller rockers, chrome molly push rods and any kind of gear drive that blows your skirt up and obviously a compatable camshaft. Didn't mean to dis your project my friend and obviously a gear drive is something that you can go to without changing anything else. Shoe
I have done the install precisely as you have described the proceedure without problem. I'm not necessarily an ace mechanic, but somewhat lazy. Or let's say I like to live a little on the edge just to see what happens. I took my time and it fell right into place without disturbing my cam timing what-so-ever. I also used a Pete Jackson and I love the noise. But, then again, I like big block Corvettes with side exhaust. It's a perversion of sorts, according to my spousal unit
everybody got their likes and dislikes, that's what makes life interesting. i have a gear drive and like the sound. i would like to have a blower but don't have the jack
I can't think of any reason to have a gear drive....and I don't run a blower for the whine, but for the the power.
The Jalopy Journal
