FE Power Forums
FE Power Forums => FE Technical Forum => Topic started by: fairlaniac on February 25, 2020, 09:41:23 AM
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I need to purchase and install a steel gear on my Pro Billet distributor. I have a roller cam now. What is the p/n and are there any special instructions or best practices to installing the gear?
Thanks,
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Crane 52971-1.
Install gear per MSD spec, 3.045-3.050” measured from flange to bottom of gear with endplay removed.
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Hey Brent or anybody I guess. Why does MSD have you drill another hole and not use the existing one?
Should one worry about weakening the shaft in conjunction with hv pump?
I’ve done it in the past and everything is still working but it still is in the back of my mind. I realize I’m answering my own question but it doesn’t make sense to me.
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Hey Brent or anybody I guess. Why does MSD have you drill another hole and not use the existing one?
Should one worry about weakening the shaft in conjunction with hv pump?
I’ve done it in the past and everything is still working but it still is in the back of my mind. I realize I’m answering my own question but it doesn’t make sense to me.
Because the gears and holes vary that much. I always turn the gear 90° to the existing hole in the shaft, then drill my hole. I've never had an issue in all these years.
The gear location is very critical though, so go by the dimension and not the hole locations.
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Ok so the hole placement may vary with the selected gears measurement and measurement to the gear is important not hole location. Ok that’s clear again in my little pea brain. Thanks
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In the O.E.s' (and as in many aftermarket units) original manufacturing process the drilling for the roll-pin was an arbitrary endeavor in placement, therefore provides no specific reference as to the the proper gear placement.
As far as the just turning of the shaft to pick ones' own drilling, as is most often practiced, we prefer and practice the process of removing the original gear, then with a jig we created, compatible with a drill press, to locate the original path of the previous drilling both in length, rotation and center (as often the hole does not pass thru the center of the shaft), press the gear to the proper position, and then place back in our jig thereby requiring drilling only the gear and engaging the original hole presented thru the shaft. This preserving the shaft for future gear changes.
And yes, I have witnessed the shafts breaking at the cross of the otherwise accomplished multiple holes drilled; this in one instance, the shaft separated at the drillings, oil pressure lost, the technician removed the distributor and saw nothing wrong, the entire shaft turn together by hand but under the pump load the separated lower section remain stationary only being located in the gear.
Scott.
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So I got the Crane distributor gear today. To drill a new hole I understand the tolerance and to rotate the shaft 90 degrees and drill the new hole. I though the gear would have one hole on one side to use as a starter hole and drill through the shaft and the other side of the gear. However, with a hole on both sides what if I set this up in my vice on the drill press and I'm off half a degree. When I come out the other side I'll have an oblong hole in the gear. I don't have fancy jigs so I'm stuck with the drill press and vice.
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Send it here, I'll do it for you.
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Thanks Brent, I'll let you know if I need to send it to you.
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Crane 52971-1.
Install gear per MSD spec, 3.045-3.050” measured from flange to bottom of gear with endplay removed.
Brent when you mentioned to measure from "flange" I was curious which flange. So I set my caliper and set up the picture to clarify. I assume that is the flange you meant?
(http://www.fairlanet.com/images/msd8594.jpg)
Thanks!
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That's it.
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MSD has finally started selling their pro-billet distributor for the FE with a steel gear already installed. That should save us a lot of headaches in the future. https://www.holley.com/products/ignition/distributors/ford/pro-billet_distributors/parts/85941
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So, it says "MSD now offers Ford distributors with steel gears for use with hydraulic roller cams." No mention of solid rollers- if this gear is proper for a solid roller, why do they specify hydraulic rollers? Should this not be used with a solid roller?
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All FE roller cams, whether they are hydraulic or solid, are made from steel cam cores. If it’s a steel core cam, it should get a steel distributor gear.
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Good to know that FE hydro rollers are not ground with the SADI cast cores.
I recall some BBC and SBC hydro rollers were ground on SADI camshaft cores.
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Let's talk about this a bit more for fun.
During normal operation does the distributor gear "walk up" the cam gear thereby utilizing and loading the thrush washer captured between distributer body and that pinned collar?
If so, then wondering why there is a spec on shaft axial play, why would it matter?
Or does the gear find a path of least resistance so to speak and the 3.045/3.05 zone puts it dead center on the cam gear and it stays there? No thrust involved.
One or the other, both at play some how, just curious.