Engine: 1969 351W
So over the last month and a half I have had ongoing problem with my distributor gear(s). For some reason, my distributor gear is wearing badly. The first time this happened, I replaced the distributor (still under warranty), and within two weeks I had the same problem. After two distributors, the cam gear was shot. So two weeks ago, I tore the engine apart. I replaced the high volume oil pump with a standard volume in an attempt to reduce the load on the gears (Tightend the bolts with distributor installed to ensure everything was lined up). I installed an ARP driveshaft (and I checked for block to shaft clearance as well as shaft to distributor). I replaced the camshaft (Summit cam flat tappet SUM-3601). I am using a (third new one) duraspark II distributor from a mid 70's truck. I used moly lube on both the cam gear and the distributor gear. After a little over a week and a half, I checked my ignition timing (indicator that the gear is wearing, timing backs off as gear wears), and it was off by 5 degrees. I pulled the distributor and the gear is showing some significant signs of wear. The gear had oil on it when I pulled it out.
Any ideas? The wear pattern on the gear looks fine (as far as teeth engagement depth). I think that insufficient oil is getting to the gear. I have heard you can drill a .030" hole in the plug under the cam sprocket to increase the oiling. I am using a cast iron gear on a hydraulic flat tappet camshaft. The engine has approx 8K on it, for the first 6k I had no problems. Around 6K I took it to school to dyno it and it overheated, blew a head gasket. Before I figured out the head gasket was blown, I tried a different distributor, didn't make a difference so I just left the new one in (kind of regret that now, but hey it was free). That distributor lasted maybe 1000-1500 miles before the gear ate all the way through. I replaced it and drove it for a week. After pulling it to check it, it was not good, I parked the car to pull the motor. Replaced everything listed above, and here I sit with another chewed up gear.
Any thoughts or ideas will be appreciated. Let me know if you need more info.
So over the last month and a half I have had ongoing problem with my distributor gear(s). For some reason, my distributor gear is wearing badly. The first time this happened, I replaced the distributor (still under warranty), and within two weeks I had the same problem. After two distributors, the cam gear was shot. So two weeks ago, I tore the engine apart. I replaced the high volume oil pump with a standard volume in an attempt to reduce the load on the gears (Tightend the bolts with distributor installed to ensure everything was lined up). I installed an ARP driveshaft (and I checked for block to shaft clearance as well as shaft to distributor). I replaced the camshaft (Summit cam flat tappet SUM-3601). I am using a (third new one) duraspark II distributor from a mid 70's truck. I used moly lube on both the cam gear and the distributor gear. After a little over a week and a half, I checked my ignition timing (indicator that the gear is wearing, timing backs off as gear wears), and it was off by 5 degrees. I pulled the distributor and the gear is showing some significant signs of wear. The gear had oil on it when I pulled it out.
Any ideas? The wear pattern on the gear looks fine (as far as teeth engagement depth). I think that insufficient oil is getting to the gear. I have heard you can drill a .030" hole in the plug under the cam sprocket to increase the oiling. I am using a cast iron gear on a hydraulic flat tappet camshaft. The engine has approx 8K on it, for the first 6k I had no problems. Around 6K I took it to school to dyno it and it overheated, blew a head gasket. Before I figured out the head gasket was blown, I tried a different distributor, didn't make a difference so I just left the new one in (kind of regret that now, but hey it was free). That distributor lasted maybe 1000-1500 miles before the gear ate all the way through. I replaced it and drove it for a week. After pulling it to check it, it was not good, I parked the car to pull the motor. Replaced everything listed above, and here I sit with another chewed up gear.
Any thoughts or ideas will be appreciated. Let me know if you need more info.