Bronze timing gear

glenn in camino

glenn in camino

Well-known member
Is a metal timing gear worth the money in a stock engine? I put a bronze one in my last rebuild for durability but now I can hear it at idle.
 
Glenn - Trying to use my common sense (I know that's a stretch for me), but most A'ers will concede that the fiber gear will be less noisy than a metal (bronze in your case) gear. There are others with such metal gears that are not noisy (Why? - I do't know). I do know that there is a person (maybe someone can supply the name, I don't remember) that manufacturers matching metal gears (crank & timing) that said by users of such to be quiet. But it makes sense that metal will out-live the fiber gear (all things being equal).

Saying a metal gear is worth the money is subjective (after all we are human). To me there would be satisfaction knowing the metal gear will be durable. Others opinions may differ. Then again, could I live with the noise?
 
The matched gear sets are sold by Dan McEachern out of Alameda, California. The Gear sets can be obtained with either a aluminum or bronze timing gear. The bronze gear, running with the steel crank gear he sells, runs the quietest. Both sets are like a fine piece of jewlery. IMHO it is always advisable to change the crank gear whenever you change the cam timing gear. You would be amazed at the amount of wear that occurs to the crank gear, after running for years against even a fiber gear.
Aluminum - $48.00 Bronze - $115.00 Crank Gear - $27.50 Heated Treated Crank Gear - $35.00 Use their crankshaft gear for best results.
I have used these gears now in two engines. USA Made The best!
(510) 532-8228 dmcgears@yahoo.com
 
Last edited:
Usually a puller will remove the gear easily, add heat to expand the gear and it will come more easily. I always use aluminum gears, and bronze on my Bonneville engine, bronze is stronger but I doubt if any quieter???
 
Not so quiet I suspect....
 

Attachments

  • straightcutgears.jpg
    straightcutgears.jpg
    120.7 KB · Views: 183
  • straightcutedge.jpg
    straightcutedge.jpg
    131.1 KB · Views: 148
There should be no noise if the backlash is within tolerances. I personaly like .003-.004". Make sure the camshaft plunger fit in the cover is not excessive. Started another Model A engine yesterday afternoon, that has the aluminum gear set. No noise. Your camshaft plunger may need one or two heavy steel (drill rod) shims under the spring to reduce end-float. Try to obtain .008-.010"

The bronze gear is bullet proof and quiet.

Dan operates his business the "old way" of which many of you have not had the pleasure to use with any company today. You place your order......they ship the parts......you make payment AFTER you receive the parts. If you don't pay, you might be paid a visit by the "collectors". I guess his philosophy is that anyone who restores antique vehicles must be straight-up and honest.

By the way......they cut their own gears in shop, not out-sourced to an over seas company.

He has a catalog available
 
Last edited:
Ron/IA said:
Glenn - Trying to use my common sense (I know that's a stretch for me), but most A'ers will concede that the fiber gear will be less noisy than a metal (bronze in your case) gear. There are others with such metal gears that are not noisy (Why? - I do't know). I do know that there is a person (maybe someone can supply the name, I don't remember) that manufacturers matching metal gears (crank & timing) that said by users of such to be quiet. But it makes sense that metal will out-live the fiber gear (all things being equal).

Saying a metal gear is worth the money is subjective (after all we are human). To me there would be satisfaction knowing the metal gear will be durable. Others opinions may differ. Then again, could I live with the noise?
Click to expand...

Would packing the timing gear case with grease make a difference in the sound?
 
FrankWest said:
Would packing the timing gear case with grease make a difference in the sound?
Click to expand...

Yes, but it would only last a few seconds until the flood of oil washes it away. If you want to see a well lubed gear, just remove the valve side cover and watch the oil flowing out the front and onto the timing gear.
 
zzlegend said:
Whew,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,a 4 year old thread. :D The timing gear ghost. ;)
Click to expand...

It's just the spirit of Christmas past.:D

Now, if you really want to hear timing gear noise, just remove the timing chain from a Chevy V8 and install a set of spur gears with the linked idler gears. The year I tought auto mechanics at the vo-tec a student did that, and it screamed like a police siren. :eek: Some people will do anything just to make a change.:confused:
 
actually , the gear drive gives more acurate timing. If you are racing, every little thing counts. I think that is the Pete Jackson gear drive .
 
Anyone who would like more information on the timing gears or if you have a question, please send me an e-mail at dmcgearsatyahoodotcom. Just one general note to the above- installing a new metal timing gear without a mating crank gear is just begging for a gear set to make a racket. Dan
 
Frank: One of Dan's timing gears would be the best Christmas present you could buy for yourself!
 
stand the crank on its nose. Heat the gear with a torch while rotating the crank and the gear will expand and fall off.
 
I turned the crank gear key up and used a zip cut along the key as I bent two pullers piece of cake had to replace key tho.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top