This is topic Got one for yall in forum Tech Talk at Northern California Ford Owners  .


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Posted by Wes (Member # 3891) on :
 
I put a 351 in my 91gt, runs great except...It keeps eating the gear off of my distributors. I have 502-520 crane cam. Im using rebuilt 351 distributors. All the info I've found on this says it should work with the stock distributor. Any one ever heard of this.

[ July 18, 2004, 08:21 PM: Message edited by: Wes ]
 
Posted by Fostang (Member # 3752) on :
 
Is it the correct material for the cam?

Can't remember the exact combo bronze with what but I know there is a difference.
 
Posted by Wes (Member # 3891) on :
 
Hopfully i do need bronze..But everything ive read says it should work with the stock one which we know is cast. It only took about 5 min. of run time to eat it.
 
Posted by wilit (Member # 3367) on :
 
I think it's roller cam=bronze gear, non-roller=steel gear. It's either that, or the other way around. I can't remember.
 
Posted by SALEENx3 (Member # 1605) on :
 
Sounds like you are using a non-roller cam distributor drive gear in a roller cam equipped block. Most of the non-roller cam distributors use a cast iron drive gear. Roller cams require a steel drive gear.

[ July 18, 2004, 09:40 PM: Message edited by: SALEENx3 ]
 
Posted by Wes (Member # 3891) on :
 
Thanks fellas [patriot]
 
Posted by JohnB (Member # 969) on :
 
Ok cam guru's, let's get some input.

NON-roller cam, NON-roller block. Engine is a 89 351w, Crane cam, stock oil pump. The thing is going through stock distributors like crazy. It's literally grinding the teeth right off the gears. [Confused]

Things that have been checked:

Dist drive gear (proper height and correct installation)
Cam thrust plate
Cam freeze plug
Oil pump drive

Any ideas??
 
Posted by FasterDamnit (Member # 442) on :
 
Ask Crane.


It should work- flat tappet cam is just case hardened iron. The roller cams are steel. Iron dist. gear should match up.
 
Posted by mtbaughs (Member # 4052) on :
 
Have you checked the teeth on the cam to make sure they are not messed up or missing
 
Posted by JohnB (Member # 969) on :
 
Opps, should have included that in the post. Crane was called this morning. Tech rep stated it could only be one cause...a high-volume oil pump. It's got a standard one installed.

The gear on the camshaft is EXTREMELY sharp. Sharp enough that after 5 mins run time, it's already chewing up a dist gear. I have a bad feeling the cam wasn't cut/ground correctly.

Maybe if we all send Wes a PM with the words "roller setup" we can put this flat-tappet stuff behind us [Razz]
 
Posted by chosen1 (Member # 1906) on :
 
speaking from experience, i can tell you why my setup ate up distributor gears. the cam thrust plate had backed off; so far that the bolt holding the cam timing sprocket dug into the timing cover. so yes, because my cam was traveling, it was taking distributor gears with it. when i finally tore the motor apart, the gear on the cam appeared to be perfect.

i know run a bronze gear in my roller setup 351. i still find myself checking the distributor gear for wear.
 
Posted by Wes (Member # 3891) on :
 
Screw it...Im ordering a new cam, Yes non-roller, and tearing the front of the engine apart.....we'll see what happens.
 




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