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?

 

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

 

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.

 

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.

 

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

 

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

 

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

 

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

 

Good to know. Thanks.

Norm

 

saw this today and thought of this thread

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

 

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

 

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

 

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.