Timing gear decision

Discussion in ''Da Nailhead' started by Aussie V8, Oct 15, 2015.

  1. Aussie V8

    Aussie V8 Well-Known Member

    I'm rebuilding a 401 to stock. I got an engine kit with new timing gears and chain. The camshaft gear is the OEM type that has the nylon coated gears. I've read a lot of website info on these teeth breaking down over time. My question is, or rather advice ---- do I go with this new set or hassle around getting an all steel set ? Is the modern manufacture nylon any superior to factory ---- and this engine will most likely outlast me. I can get a new set from TA Performance for good price, but add in shipping and currency exchange it makes it far more expensive.
     
  2. Bad Boattail

    Bad Boattail Guest

    Welcome to the wonderful world of owning an American car outside North America, at least you have cheap petrol in Oz.

    It will take over 20 years for the teeth to go bad, so order the all steel gears.
    If you pay AUD 100 more now, it's only 5 dollars a year :TU:
     
  3. Bigpig455

    Bigpig455 Fastest of the slow....

    When I did mine, I went with a stock nylon gearset from Carmen - it's very quiet, and like you said, it'll outlast me......
     
  4. Aussie V8

    Aussie V8 Well-Known Member

    Thanks for your comments. I have decided to stick with the OEM type that I already have. If I live to be 80 and the engine needs a new one I'll change it out.
    That's if I'm not in a wheelchair or nursing home. :pray:
     
  5. John Codman

    John Codman Platinum Level Contributor

    I'd probably do the same as you Ken, but I'd hate myself for doing it. I have never - ever - been able to hear a difference in chain noise with a steel gear, and I think the Nylon is a crappy setup. Virtually all American pushrod V8s use them. Over here, practically every parts store sells the steel gears, so availability isn't a problem. I have replaced a lot of timing chains and gears - particularly on Pontiac and Oldsmobile V8s, and I have never installed a replacement Nylon gear.
     
  6. 66electrafied

    66electrafied Just tossing in my nickel's worth

    It's a tough call. Generally, the nylon lasted about 120,000 miles or so before they started to have issues. I've pulled some 40 year old ones that were still useable. The one in my Wildcat is still the factory original one, and that engine has just shy of 135,000 miles on in in close top 50 years. So they are good, regardless of what some people think. As long as they don't get beat-on constantly.

    I once had to do a chain and gear set up on a Chevy that had gone 130,000 miles on steel gears. There was a double-roller set in the car, sure, the owner installed it with the idea that a double roller was very strong and it would outlast the nylon set which "stretched"; in this case, the chain didn't stretch, but the gears wore down to the nubs. This car was never raced, and was actually Granny driven, so it never saw abuse.

    So what's the consensus? Well, if you want to beat on your car, lots of jack-rabbit starts, high torque tire smoking stuff, then get the steel gears and the double roller chain. If you are going to be sedate, do a lot of highway driving, no real heavy tire screaming stuff except to impress the odd chick on the sidewalk, then go with the nylon which was engineered for longevity.

    Just sayin'...
     
  7. telriv

    telriv Founders Club Member

    Less weight = MORE HP!!! Steel over nylon will almost ALWAYS see a HP loss. Less parasitic HP loss with less weight.
     
  8. 8ad-f85

    8ad-f85 Well-Known Member

    I always thought that the nylon gears were for planned obsolescence?
    Often industrial versions of engines are gear on gear, along with big diesels for much longer service life...like a million miles, or when unsupervised.
     
  9. 322bnh

    322bnh Well-Known Member

  10. Aussie V8

    Aussie V8 Well-Known Member

    The problem is this engine was all in bits when I got it and the chain + gears, along with a lot of other parts, were missing.
    The new set is a Dayco brand I think, not having it handy right now, made in USA.
     
  11. ttotired

    ttotired Well-Known Member

    G,Day Ken

    If you need to look at an engine, I havnt pulled my 58 to bits much yet

    It will have to happen soon though (somethings knocking and wants to come out)

    I am in Bellevue (near Midland)

    Mick
     
  12. GOSFAST

    GOSFAST Well-Known Member

    I would have no problem using the "nylon" timing setup, it's one we use today on many builds here.

    You won't believe some of the HP numbers (on the BBC's mostly) where we use this setup?

    Thanks, Gary in N.Y.

    P.S. The photo below shows an aluminum blown BBC being mocked up with that timing setup. The gear in the photo is the very same one that ended up inside the unit. This one made very close to 1000 HP!
     

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