Why Fiber Timing Gears

[mshmodela]

A newbie question:

If?? I've read the many threads about fiber timing gears Ford used them from the start to finish of the Model A and the start of the flat head V8. Now clearly Ford did this for a reason if that's true. Might it be a mechincal safety? In the event something when way wrong with the engine that the timing gear would give way, preventing further damage? Think of a shear pin, on some tractors or jet engines, why not a "shear gear" if you will ?

Just wondering...

 

[Bruce]

That's the reason Antique Engine Rebuilding gives for recommending the fiber gear.

 

[jkeesey]

Also the fiber is much quieter. The metal gears in 1929 were not quiet like the ones today. Plus remember your Ford if well taken care of would last you at least 5 years.

 

[Mitch//pa]

That's the reason Antique Engine Rebuilding gives for recommending the fiber gear.

thats what Rich at AER told me also.....

 

[FrankWest]

Also the fiber is much quieter. The metal gears in 1929 were not quiet like the ones today. Plus remember your Ford if well taken care of would last you at least 5 years.

Also, I know a lot of cars today use Timing chains rather than gears, Could this be used to deaden vibrations from the crank shaft to the valves and distributor rather than have a direct connection????

 

[FrankWest]

I am in the process of choosing a replacement Timing gear for my Model B engine and want to make the best choice for the proper operation of this great motor.

 

[1930artdeco]

Knowing Henry, it was a cost factor.

Mike

 

[CarlG]

That's the reason Antique Engine Rebuilding gives for recommending the fiber gear.

The main reason why AER dropped off my list of preferred sources for a replacement engine (which I may have to have soon).

 

[FrankWest]

The main reason why AER dropped off my list of preferred sources for a replacement engine (which I may have to have soon).

You would chose the aluminum?

 

[FrankWest]

The main reason why AER dropped off my list of preferred sources for a replacement engine (which I may have to have soon).

You would chose the aluminum?

 

[fredski]

The main reason why AER dropped off my list of preferred sources for a replacement engine (which I may have to have soon).

My aer runs perfectly and his short block price with inserts
Was very reasonable . The gear was fibre laminated

Frdski

 

[marc hildebrant]

Also the fiber is much quieter. The metal gears in 1929 were not quiet like the ones today. Plus remember your Ford if well taken care of would last you at least 5 years.

Mechanical technology was as good or better in the past than today (except for new materials).

The Edison record player that I have made around 1906 uses gears cut at an angle to reduce noise. It's very quiet when running.

I do not know the reason for the fiber gears, but if Ford wanted to make quiet metal gears, they could have.

Marc

 

[Blessyouboys]

Knowing Henry, it was a cost factor.

Did you know Henry Ford?

 

[jkeesey]

Mechanical technology was as good or better in the past than today (except for new materials).

The Edison record player that I have made around 1906 uses gears cut at an angle to reduce noise. It's very quiet when running.

I do not know the reason for the fiber gears, but if Ford wanted to make quiet metal gears, they could have.

Marc

Of course Henry could have made quiet gears if he wanted to, but there are a lot of other factors when putting a car into production at a large quantity rather than just can they do it. Timing chains and belts are largely used now because of the distance between the crank and cams. Most modern engine have nearly a foot between the two. Just imagine the size gears needed if you were only going to run 2.

 

[jkeesey]

I just replaced my fiber gear with another fiber this spring. I only used the fiber because I had one. If I had to order one I would have used aluminum.

 

[CarlG]

You would chose the aluminum?

Bronze

 

[FrankWest]

Bronze

I like the idea of bronze but from what I read with bronze you replace the crank gear too, which I do not want to do.

 

[George Miller]

Come on guys. Is the rear axle gears noisy, are the dist gears noisy, is the oil pump gears noisy. They are all steel. Should they be fiber? I hope not.

 

[tbirdtbird]

"I just replaced my fiber gear with another fiber this spring."

why was this necessary? Could the existing fiber gear have failed?

What exactly is an engine going to do while running that a fiber gear will protect? Is the cam suddenly gonna seize up while you are driving down the road? If anything is gonna seize, it will be a piston in a bore (usually #3 since it is the hottest, see related thread going on right now).

This theory has been set forth before but no one can give a concrete example of exactly the type of failure the fiber gear would protect. And George's comments are well taken.

Look at it another way: if the fiber gear were so good, then why is Dan able to make and sell the bronze and aluminum? Who would buy them if fiber were so great?

We are waiting.......

 

[Brother Hesekiel]

Fiber gears are quiet and dependable. Aluminum gears are a bit less quiet and a lot more dependable. Fiber gears can break but if there's so much force that the aluminum gears break, it's most likely a total engine loss because something locked up.

Since the Model A is a non-interference engine, meaning no valves are going to be smashed if the timing gears fail, the primary reason to go to aluminum or bronze is increased power.