gear drive's good or bad

65cutty · December 19th, 2008, 05:06 AM

WANTING to run a gear drive (quiet one) in my 350, for accuracy and no problems with chain stretch, anybody hear good or bad about this?

88 coupe · December 19th, 2008, 05:59 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 65cutty

........ for accuracy and no problems with chain stretch ........

If you degree the cam, there will be no difference in accuracy, vs a quality double roller chain. In 100K miles, you might see as much as 1° of chain stretch, and the same 1° due to gear wear.

I have heard of durability problems, with gears, but I don't know if they have been resolved.

Norm

70Post · December 19th, 2008, 11:11 PM

What he said...there's NO NEED to spend the $$ on a gear drive. Get a good name brand chain set AND MAKE SURE AND DEGREE THE CAM. That is where most people go astray.

If the block is being align bored then you need to talk with someone about getting an "undersize" timing chain set....still, not a problem.

Go with the chain.

The Stickman · December 19th, 2008, 11:19 PM

I had a gear drive on my 4.3L v-6 and loved it. I will do one when I build up an Olds engine. I think the big thing is to buy quality like anything else.

gearheads78 · December 20th, 2008, 07:47 AM

If you want the sound put a blower on it. Gear drives put an increadible amount of harmonics back into a motor. I would not run one on a motor I cared about if you paid me to.

The Stickman · December 22nd, 2008, 11:06 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by gearheads78

If you want the sound put a blower on it. Gear drives put an increadible amount of harmonics back into a motor. I would not run one on a motor I cared about if you paid me to.

The one I had was on a V-6 That I road raced, AutoX'd, and was my daily driver for many years. I never had any problems what so ever with that engine. So I can't see how they are detrimental to an engine

gearheads78 · December 22nd, 2008, 11:28 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by The Stickman

The one I had was on a V-6 That I road raced, AutoX'd, and was my daily driver for many years. I never had any problems what so ever with that engine. So I can't see how they are detrimental to an engine

Been told the same thing by more than one professional race engine builder. I will stick with a chain or a belt drive.

88 coupe · December 22nd, 2008, 01:02 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by The Stickman

........ was my daily driver for many years ........

How much wear, during how many miles, vs a quality chain set?

How much power difference vs a quality chain set?

How would your experience compare to the needs of the OP?

Norm

The Stickman · December 22nd, 2008, 03:41 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 88 coupe

How much wear, during how many miles, vs a quality chain set?

How much power difference vs a quality chain set?

How would your experience compare to the needs of the OP?

Norm

I experienced no wear over 8-10 years and around 12k miles a year, not to mention the racing. You won't get any power out of one. I thought it felt smoother than a chain. I would guess there should be little to no difference in the way it opperates on an Olds engine

Warhead · December 22nd, 2008, 03:53 PM

An "aquaintance" of mine used to run a NHRA legal Super Stocker back in the late 60's. He was always a tenth off of the index, thought he would try one to help him out some.

He lost another tenth with the gearset, but at least his timing was dead on.

Went back to a chain, and gained that tenth back.

I like them, but not enough to spend any money on one.
Jim

88 coupe · December 23rd, 2008, 07:06 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by The Stickman

I experienced no wear over 8-10 years and around 12k miles a year, not to mention the racing ........

Good to know. Thanks.

Norm

gearheads78 · March 11th, 2009, 04:49 PM

saw this today and thought of this thread

http://72.22.90.30/phpBB2/viewtopic.php?p=548903#548903

jensenracing77 · March 11th, 2009, 05:07 PM

go with the chain. cloyes true roller is the best i have seen for Oldsmobile. it is true about the harmonics.

joe_padavano · March 11th, 2009, 06:04 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by The Stickman

I experienced no wear over 8-10 years and around 12k miles a year, not to mention the racing.

The factory roller chain in my 454 truck had no wear in 150,000 miles. Since I had it apart, I replaced it anyway.

csstrux · March 11th, 2009, 06:14 PM

I was talking to a guy the other day. Jay , help me out here. He said that the two best, most accurate units he has used were super expensive ones I don't remember the names, and the cheepie summit set. I have no personal experience as my build is stalled until the economy recovers.

December 19th, 2008, 05:06 AM	#1 (permalink)
65cutty Registered User Join Date: Aug 2008 Location: westerville ohio Posts: 176	gear drive's good or bad WANTING to run a gear drive (quiet one) in my 350, for accuracy and no problems with chain stretch, anybody hear good or bad about this? __________________ jim

December 19th, 2008, 11:11 PM	#3 (permalink)
70Post Registered User Join Date: May 2008 Posts: 220	What he said...there's NO NEED to spend the $$ on a gear drive. Get a good name brand chain set AND MAKE SURE AND DEGREE THE CAM. That is where most people go astray. If the block is being align bored then you need to talk with someone about getting an "undersize" timing chain set....still, not a problem. Go with the chain. __________________ Patton Glade 70Post Restorations Austin, TX GM A-Body Gas Tank Pads/Insulators---click on link http://classicoldsmobile.com/forums/...tion-item.html

December 19th, 2008, 11:19 PM	#4 (permalink)
The Stickman Registered User Join Date: Nov 2008 Location: Lehigh Valley Pa Posts: 313	I had a gear drive on my 4.3L v-6 and loved it. I will do one when I build up an Olds engine. I think the big thing is to buy quality like anything else. __________________ 1979 Olds Cutlass Cruiser ChopTop delivery 1984 IMSA Super Duty powered Fiero 1984 Olds Rocket 88 Custom(BattleCruiser)Cruiser 1996 Subaru wagon 2000 Totalled Dodge Caravan.

December 20th, 2008, 07:47 AM	#5 (permalink)
gearheads78 Super Moderator Join Date: Apr 2008 Location: Dallas TX Posts: 1,563	If you want the sound put a blower on it. Gear drives put an increadible amount of harmonics back into a motor. I would not run one on a motor I cared about if you paid me to. __________________ -Richard 66 Cutlass ragtop my way Keep watching your cotton candy coated TV while your world falls apart around you...

March 11th, 2009, 04:49 PM	#12 (permalink)
gearheads78 Super Moderator Join Date: Apr 2008 Location: Dallas TX Posts: 1,563	gear drive problems... saw this today and thought of this thread http://72.22.90.30/phpBB2/viewtopic.php?p=548903#548903 __________________ -Richard 66 Cutlass ragtop my way Keep watching your cotton candy coated TV while your world falls apart around you...

December 22nd, 2008, 03:53 PM	#10 (permalink)
Warhead Registered User Join Date: Mar 2008 Location: Phx, AZ Posts: 311	An "aquaintance" of mine used to run a NHRA legal Super Stocker back in the late 60's. He was always a tenth off of the index, thought he would try one to help him out some. He lost another tenth with the gearset, but at least his timing was dead on. Went back to a chain, and gained that tenth back. I like them, but not enough to spend any money on one. Jim

March 11th, 2009, 05:07 PM	#13 (permalink)
jensenracing77 Registered User Join Date: Feb 2009 Location: brazil indiana Posts: 1,022	go with the chain. cloyes true roller is the best i have seen for Oldsmobile. it is true about the harmonics. __________________ 70 Rallye 350 72 Cutlass 00 Silhouette 90 Toronado Trofeo

March 11th, 2009, 06:14 PM	#15 (permalink)
csstrux Super Moderator Join Date: Sep 2007 Location: Janesville wisconsin Posts: 1,659	I was talking to a guy the other day. Jay , help me out here. He said that the two best, most accurate units he has used were super expensive ones I don't remember the names, and the cheepie summit set. I have no personal experience as my build is stalled until the economy recovers. __________________ Chad Greed: in psychology is an excessive desire to acquire or possess more than what one needs or deserves, especially with respect to material wealth

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