crholds442

I have a 455 in my 69 olds 442 conv. It has a Melling hi vol. oil pump, Erson roller cam. The return oil galleys have been enlarged to max. to match Edelbrock heads. The rear plug for the oil galley was drilled out with a .040 bit to add additional oil to the bronze distributor gear. Some GM and Ford folks have experienced failures due to the stress of a hi vol/hi pressure oil pump. Has there been any history of this with Olds 455 engines? There is some sort of composite gear now available. Should I change out the bronze gear with the new composite design? I appreciate hearing anything you know.

drjr56

I have a billet roller in my 455/442.I also have .040 rear plug.I used a Comp Cam bronze gear.Pt# 442,and put it in 3 summers ago. The gear that came off,only had a few hundred miles on it,but was like new.So far,no indication of premature wear,or any problems,with over 4000 miles on this gear.I too use a hi-volume oil pump.

crholds442

Thanks for your reply. Do you also have a hi vol. oil pump, the hardened shaft for the extra stress? My oil pressure runs 60 psi cold start and seems to go down to 40 psi as the engine warms up. I have not run this engine on the street yet. I've done a complete frame off resto with the car in the body shop since last Dec. Thanks drjr56!!

citcapp

8000 miles on a full roller set up with the bronze gear in a 455 street motor. No issues to date. Runs like new.

crholds442

Comp Cams has a "carbon, ultra-poly"gear for Ford and Chevy.
I'll check and see if they make one for the 455. May solve most
concerns. Twice as expensive as the MSD Bronze.

drjr56

I do have a hi-volume oil pump.I run 20/50 Castrol oil,and have use it from the start. My oil pressure cold is 80,and will drop to 40. If I beat it,hot oil pressure goes to 30,but comes back to 40 under normal driving.If I remember right,my bronze gear cost about $80.00.That's the one from Comp cams.

crholds442

I just checked with MSD and Comp. The only olds bronze distrib. gear is the Comp 442, that's up to the task. Comp doesn't make a "poly" gear for the olds 455. I put in a Summit Bronze costing around 35$. I suspect I'd be wise to get the Comp 442 and swap them out.