Is it true that a steel gear and a cast gear mated together is a "very bad thing"????
New Summit HEI dizzy has a steel gear on it, (no cast gear available) yet stock 302 cam has a cast gear. Is it safe to install this?
Anyone out there done this?
Thanks

 

Call Summit. They sold it to you, so they should stand behind it if they say yes and then it eats the gear up on the camshaft.

 

Hi Franklin, that's just it, called Summits Tech number, and they would (could?) not answer it. Even asked if a cast gear is available for the SUM 850021 HEI, and they did say no to that one.
Won't buy it if the only answer is "I don't know of any problems with a cast-on steel gear situation".

 

Are you just set on a Summit branded HEI?
Seems like you could get an iron gear for about $20 and press it on...

I see plenty of units that say specifically "not for roller cams"

Skip White is selling these cheap on Ebay ($40) and even has a kit with Accel wires for <$60.

The Proform 66969 has an iron gear as well.

 

If you really do have a 351 (per your 'decode my VIN' thread) maybe it's a good thing you held off on this purchase?
The larger oil pump shaft and taller deck of a 351 means they do not interchange.

 

Nope, it was swapped to a 302, (at least a 302 firing order makes it run)
351 firing order, it won't start

 

Easy way to tell, look for a space between the water pump boss and the drivers side head.

If not, are you having more luck finding a compatible HEI with a cast drive gear?

Two days ago you had gone as far as purchasing a DSII harness and yesterday you are going to toss all that for a one wire HEI?

 

Yep, Jumping around, Buddy of mine just did the HEI set-up, (with roller cam and steel gear)
I was going to start going down the Duraspark road, Already had a blue grommet from years past, no cost there, got a harness from Tully, still need a Dura Dizzy and coil.
Getting a good dizzy and coil costs roughly as much as the Summit HEI.
But some of the original wiring is still questionable on the 84.

So now it's the see-saw, go down the Duraspark, or HEI Road.
HEI, 1 wire and self contained, Duraspark, get, mount coil, mount Module, wire up and go..
that's the crossroads I am at.
Looking at the value of both, then pull the trigger and not look back.

 

Well, like I replied to Bill Vose the other day when he said 'Why would I want to put Chevy parts on my Ford?'

It is the inexpensive and expedient solution for someone ditching their EEC/TFT system.
Check what KsCop and others say about installing a relay and heavy gauge wiring to provide enough current.

 

The monkeys at Summit that answer the phone aren't engine techs so don't waste your time, the bottom line is the distributor drive gear and cam material must match or one or the other will wear out prematurely.

 

That is my thinking, There you have it, cancel out the HEI.

 

Why?
Because you will only buy the Summit branded one?

I already showed two that SAY they have an iron gear.
Do you really think they are made in different factories?

 

Summit was $139, Equal cost of New Duraspark dizzy and coil, pertronics $239

 

The Proform is $30 more than Summit... @ Summit.
http://www.summitracing.com/parts/pr...FW3xOgodOWMAEw
That's a wash for swapping an iron gear onto Summit's dizzy.

$143.45 On Ebay, free shipping.
http://www.ebay.com/itm/Proform-66969B-HEI-Street-Strip-Distributor-Blue-Cap-New-/161128379911?pt=Motors_Car_Truck_Parts_Accessories&hash=item2583fff607&vxp=mtr
The SkipWhite ones with iron gear are $40, or $60 with wires.
They have almost 150,000 sales and a 99.7% + feedback.
http://www.ebay.com/itm/FORD-289-302-5-0-5-0L-HEI-DISTRIBUTOR-PE-330-U-BLUE-CAP-/370809527927?pt=Motors_Car_Truck_Parts_Accessories&hash=item5655f85e77&vxp=mtr
http://www.ebay.com/itm/FORD-289-302-HEI-DISTRIBUTOR-ACCEL-WIRES-6502-BLUE-KIT-/350928316025?pt=Motors_Car_Truck_Parts_Accessories&hash=item51b4f52679&vxp=mtr