Thread: Noisy Gear Drive

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I'm building a 302 up for a friend, and he's given my all the parts to do it, including a "noisy" gear timing drive. I've opened the box, only to find no installation instructions, or makers name. (must be Chinese!) He can't remeber where he got it from either.
Anyhow, am I right in thinking that the intermediate gears just lie between the crank and the cam gear, with no other support than the front cover and block to stop them moving backwards and forwards?

get a timing chain

Like BB sez. It's a whole lot easier to chuck that POS in the garbage now, rather than two days after you fire up the engine.

A good double roller timing chain will make your friend much happier!!

Summit lists many for SB Fords: http://store.summitracing.com/egnsea...=KeywordSearch

Racers don't use them for a reason(s)!!

Leave the gear drive in the box and get a chain. If your friend wants whine, tell him to get a blower.

That's a strong reaction! I guess you guys have a story to tell...... did the gears trash the timing cover, or some other mayhem, or just got annoying?

http://www.fordmuscle.com/forums/mus...ear-drive.html

This tells the story pretty well

In theory, they appear to be a good idea. In practice and for a daily driver, not so hot. Then - there's the annoying noise. Then you have an unknown manufacturer for this product - and is it a Chinese POS?

My choice for a performance engine now would be a Gilmer belt drive, but a good double roller chain and gear are the best bet and a well proven design for a SB Ford or any other normally rodded engine.

Originally Posted by Limey

That's a strong reaction! I guess you guys have a story to tell...... did the gears trash the timing cover, or some other mayhem, or just got annoying?

well i did not chime in i will not build a engine for any one with one in it .i have built race and street engine .i have not seen a good use for one in any engine i have built

I have had a Pete Jackson gear drive on the wish list for YEARS...

Until I found out that they transfer unwanted harmonics which actually hurts timing.

Double roller chain is the way to go. They last and last, and they absorb nasty harmonics. If you like noisy, then get cherry bombs. If you like whiney, then get married. Er, I mean, get a blower.

Although I hate these things because of the noise/harmonics and because they are 100% POSER, I'll show installation instructions published by Summit....
http://static.summitracing.com/globa.../sum-g6711.pdf
It's interesting to note this verbage at the bottom of the instructions. It should give you a clue about the harmonics set up in a gear drive assembly.....
"NOTE: This timing setup requires use of a harmonic balancer,
DO NOT substitute an aluminum hub."

I agree with going to a double-roller timing chain, much better choice. I'm fond of the Cloyes double-roller with 9 keyway positions.

As far as the noise of a gear drive....it's not too noisey, yall are just too old!

I ran an original Pet Jackson in a 1973 SBC. Whined, I was 18 and loved it, and never had a problem. As a PhD now I have no doubt they introduce unwanted and likely damaging harmonics. But I was using it with a solid lift cam which by nature will reduce these. I abused the shnokers out of it. Use a chain or belt.

Kitz

I use Donovan gear drives on everything, I don't know why, I guess old habits are hard to break. Mine don't make any noise.
Ken

Thanks for the feedback guys, I'll get my freind to change his mind about this part!

Originally Posted by Ken Thurm

I use Donovan gear drives on everything, I don't know why, I guess old habits are hard to break. Mine don't make any noise.
Ken

well that type has no floating gear set in it the jackson type has the idle gears banging around . were your s just has one . the belt is a much better way to go$$$$ but it is hard to beat to good chain set for the money