Steel distrubitor gear

[BigBlueIron]

So it appears the steel dist gear from Crane 52970-1 is no longer available. Alternatives?

[KMcCullah]

I recently used the Mallory 29420 steel gear. It was a lot cheaper than the MSD 85813. Hopefully I didn't get what I paid for.

[rockhouse66]

I recently used the Mallory 29420 steel gear. It was a lot cheaper than the MSD 85813. Hopefully I didn't get what I paid for.

That Mallory gear won't work on a stock distributor.  Wrong shaft diameter.  I am also looking for the Crane gear and hoping they are just out of stock rather than NLA.

[manofmerc]

From what I read crane is no longer in business .Someone probably has one of those gears in stock.Doug

[BigBlueIron]

.Someone probably has one of those gears in stock.Doug

I thought the same but no luck so far.


Will a gear for another engine work if resized??

[Falcon67]

FWIW - I've only used one steel gear and it ate up a $300 cam.  I only use bronze now and check it periodically. Surprisingly little wear on a bronze gear with a hydro roller cam.  The dragster uses springs like near 600 lbs over the nose so that one is watched closer.

[blykins]

Contact Barry to see if he has any.  I also have some coming and will post when I do.   

As a general rule, Fords don't like bronze gears.  They will go away in a couple thousand miles.  Not a big deal in a 1/4 mile car, but a real big deal in something you want to last.   Steel cams get steel gears.  Iron cams get iron gears. 

[67xr7cat]

Used to run  bronze gear with a solid roller cam.  Changed it at 10,000 miles as was showing some wear.  Have use a good gear as not all bronze gears are same material or machined correctly. Ampco is good. Also install correctly, polish the cam gear (remove sharp edges) and mod to have extra oiling on gear.  I did not do the extra oiling mod on that one, but it can help. 

If you are stuck on using a steel gear and is just a matter of shaft size can make a bushing or hone it out all depending on the gear and shaft size. 

[rockhouse66]

I looked up the Ampco gears and am interested.  I don't see which one is FE with the stock shaft diameter.  Can you help me with a p/n?

[Barry_R]

I have had gears on order for quite a while and they are very late on delivery

[67xr7cat]

I looked up the Ampco gears and am interested.  I don't see which one is FE with the stock shaft diameter.  Can you help me with a p/n?

Is really more the material AMPCO-45.  The Comp cams PN: 433 is for a .467" shaft which should be stock size.  That said I would still measure your distributor shaft size.

[Barry_R]

Update - gear folks say gears are in heat treat and should be a couple weeks out

[BigBlueIron]

Barry is that for the Crane or another manufacture?

[Barry_R]

The company that was formerly the supplier to Crane

[rockhouse66]

Update - gear folks say gears are in heat treat and should be a couple weeks out

Any update on this?  I really need one gear asap.