1973,Buick installed Nylon or metal timing gear set in 455 engine?

Hello,
I'm in process of taking apart a 455 engine from a 1973 Electra 225.
I removed the fuel pump and peeked inside the timing cover. It appears that my timing gear is metal.
I didn't think that the timing set had been replaced inside this engine. Did Buick stop using nylon timing gears at some point?
Thanks,
Robert

 

I believe they used the nylon gear up to the end of production

 

if it is a metal one, it has been replaced.

Fernando

 

It's metal, but with a nylon coating for 1973.

 

Thanks, I see that my timing set has been changed at some point.
Engine looks pretty good, off to machine shop next for some clean up and work.
Thanks

 

I actually like the nylon coated aluminum cam gears. It's quite a bit lighter than a steel one esp vs double roller (less rotating weight and easier on front cam bearing) and if you change oil regularly and don't cook the motor they can go 100K miles.
On a stock motor they are a bit quieter too.
But Buick didn't figure on people not changing oil, or running low on oil (hot) or overheating or revving to the moon on a cold start in 10 deg weather.

 

Did it look like this?