SBC Distributor gear

Alan Roehrich · 11-21-2013, 07:51 PM

I use the Comp Cams composite gears now, on everything. They only wear if you have a problem, and if they do wear, they do no damage. Also, if you have a problem with an oil pump or drive, the gear will sacrifice itself, preventing damage to any other component.

For Stock and Super Stock engines, where there is almost always a fair amount of milling and decking, as well as various gasket thicknesses, I prefer an MSD distributor with an adjustable slip collar, so you can set the correct gear mesh.

Mike Taylor 3601 · 11-22-2013, 09:25 AM

You can buy slip collar from MSD and convert any dist. to slip collar
Mike Taylor 3601

Bobby Zlatkin · 11-22-2013, 10:58 AM

Thanks guys,
I've been doing this stuff for 58 years, but being a hobbiest, I realize I'm still just an amateur drag racer.

Jeff Niceswanger · 11-22-2013, 11:47 AM

I was told years ago to take the pipe plugs out of the back of the block, at the cam oil galleries and " center" the distributor to the 2 cast collars on the bottom of the distributor. This will put the gear of the distributor in the middle of the camshaft gear ,so it is centered...Wife's tale or the truth?... Alan. ?

Ed Wright · 11-22-2013, 11:49 AM

Dang Bobby! You have five years on me. LOL

Mike Taylor 3601 · 11-22-2013, 02:06 PM

Jeff,
That method could get in ballpark, but oil galleys,oil groove on dist. are'nt really located that close,to where I would use them that way.
Usaully I will place dist by checking the way the gears mesh together,I want them running where it meshes close to center on dist gear teeth and feel just a little bit of lash between gears.
You can check pattern on gears with grease or gear marking compound if need to
Mike Taylor 3601

njk53 · 11-22-2013, 02:57 PM

Make sure the bushings in the distributor aren't worn which will cause the shaft to wobble around and cause gear wear. We had the same problem with premature wear on the gear. In our case it was the gear itself..

HandOverFist · 11-22-2013, 04:04 PM

I may be misinformed, but I thought the bronze distributor gears were for roller cams only.

Con6tY5efs · 11-26-2013, 01:32 AM

the higher the pressure the more load on gear

11-21-2013, 07:51 PM	#1
Alan Roehrich Veteran Member Join Date: May 2006 Location: Murfreesboro TN Posts: 5,118 Likes: 1,573 Liked 1,837 Times in 417 Posts	Re: SBC Distributor gear I use the Comp Cams composite gears now, on everything. They only wear if you have a problem, and if they do wear, they do no damage. Also, if you have a problem with an oil pump or drive, the gear will sacrifice itself, preventing damage to any other component. For Stock and Super Stock engines, where there is almost always a fair amount of milling and decking, as well as various gasket thicknesses, I prefer an MSD distributor with an adjustable slip collar, so you can set the correct gear mesh. __________________ Alan Roehrich 212A G/S

11-22-2013, 09:25 AM	#2
Mike Taylor 3601 VIP Member Join Date: Oct 2008 Location: Somerset,Ky Posts: 1,372 Likes: 355 Liked 308 Times in 103 Posts	Re: SBC Distributor gear You can buy slip collar from MSD and convert any dist. to slip collar Mike Taylor 3601

11-22-2013, 10:58 AM	#3
Bobby Zlatkin Member Join Date: Mar 2003 Location: Mills River, NC Posts: 417 Likes: 0 Liked 0 Times in 0 Posts	Re: SBC Distributor gear Thanks guys, I've been doing this stuff for 58 years, but being a hobbiest, I realize I'm still just an amateur drag racer. __________________ Bobby & Norene Zlatkin L/SA

11-22-2013, 11:47 AM	#4
Jeff Niceswanger Senior Member Join Date: Jul 2003 Posts: 894 Likes: 686 Liked 1,034 Times in 368 Posts	Re: SBC Distributor gear I was told years ago to take the pipe plugs out of the back of the block, at the cam oil galleries and " center" the distributor to the 2 cast collars on the bottom of the distributor. This will put the gear of the distributor in the middle of the camshaft gear ,so it is centered...Wife's tale or the truth?... Alan. ? __________________ Jeff Niceswanger 3740 SS Last edited by Jeff Niceswanger; 11-22-2013 at 11:51 AM.

11-22-2013, 11:49 AM	#5
Ed Wright Veteran Member Join Date: Mar 2005 Location: Sand Springs, OK Posts: 8,132 Likes: 896 Liked 390 Times in 170 Posts	Re: SBC Distributor gear Dang Bobby! You have five years on me. LOL __________________ Ed Wright 4156 SS/JA

11-22-2013, 02:06 PM	#6
Mike Taylor 3601 VIP Member Join Date: Oct 2008 Location: Somerset,Ky Posts: 1,372 Likes: 355 Liked 308 Times in 103 Posts	Re: SBC Distributor gear Jeff, That method could get in ballpark, but oil galleys,oil groove on dist. are'nt really located that close,to where I would use them that way. Usaully I will place dist by checking the way the gears mesh together,I want them running where it meshes close to center on dist gear teeth and feel just a little bit of lash between gears. You can check pattern on gears with grease or gear marking compound if need to Mike Taylor 3601 Last edited by Mike Taylor 3601; 11-22-2013 at 02:08 PM. Reason: addtion

11-22-2013, 02:57 PM	#7
njk53 Senior Member Join Date: Jul 2007 Location: East China, MI Posts: 504 Likes: 0 Liked 0 Times in 0 Posts	Re: SBC Distributor gear Make sure the bushings in the distributor aren't worn which will cause the shaft to wobble around and cause gear wear. We had the same problem with premature wear on the gear. In our case it was the gear itself.. __________________ Nelson Kowal Stock 345

11-22-2013, 04:04 PM	#8
HandOverFist VIP Member Join Date: Oct 2013 Location: Gulf Breeze, FL Posts: 1,651 Likes: 8 Liked 33 Times in 16 Posts	Re: SBC Distributor gear I may be misinformed, but I thought the bronze distributor gears were for roller cams only. __________________ Rich Taylor I/SA - 321

11-26-2013, 01:32 AM	#9
Con6tY5efs Junior Member Join Date: Nov 2013 Posts: 5 Likes: 0 Liked 0 Times in 0 Posts	Re: SBC Distributor gear the higher the pressure the more load on gear

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