Got a friend with a 32 sedan with a 283 small block. Probably doesn't have a hundred miles on rebuilt engine and it just died. Turns out the bronze gear on the end of his MSD distributor is stripped so the distributor won't even turn. Supposedly they used the compatable cam gear. Any one else experience a similar problem. Engine will be torn down next week.
Flatjack, If you have a roller cam the bronze gear is what you need. If not you want a steel gear. If the distributor doesn't turn freely that could be all it is. I had that happen to me once.( bad dist. bushings) Normal Norman
i made the mistake of stabbing an old dist in with a bronze gear. didnt last long in a 350 with a hyd lifter cam
So what's the deal with the bronze gears? Are they only used on roller cams and if so why? Can they be used on hydraulic cams?
I once had that happen, and the gear alloy was not the issue in this case. -the intake manifold was to blame. It was a 90 dollar China-cheapie... Power Action was the brand, or something like that... the distributor mount boss was just a bit lower than other intakes, and the gear wasn't engaging just right, so it wore the gear teeth prematurely, and ended up munching the gear.
Early V8 Chevrolet engines had a slot milled in the cam gear to help with lubrication ... Is his 283 a early SBC engine or even a 265 ??
the slot was machined into the rear cam journal not in the gear,i had this happen once and the problem ended up being the cam had "walked"because of the rear plug was installed wrong.it caused the gear to want to "climb"and only lasted about a day.and i have heard the same thing about intakes bieng surfaced to much causing a similiar issue.check the rear plug first and make sure its not in too far,one way you will know is if the end of the cam sticks out on the timing cover side.and beleive me it does not take alot for this too happen.good luck
Roller cams are usually ground from a steel billet which is softer than the cast iron base of regular hydraulic or solid lifter cams. A (softer)bronze gear must be used on the distributor so it doesn't tear up the roller camshaft. It's much easier and cheaper to change the distibutor gear than it is to change the cam.
use the stock distributor with the iron gear. " One of the first requirements when installing a steel roller cam is. the addition of a bronze distributor gear" "General rule is to use a bronze alloy gear for a steel distributor gear on the camshaft (most factory roller cams follow this route). For an cast iron cam use a iron distributor gear (all non roller cams and some later aftermarket roller cams use an iron distributor gear on camshaft." "If the stock iron distributor gear is used with a steel roller cam gear, the iron gear will quickly wear, ruining the cam gear as well" a couple of quotes from cam makers webpages.
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