timing chain vs gear drive
Post Fiend
Joined: Apr 2008
Posts: 8,261
Likes: 15
From: Big Sky Country
I'd go double roller, timing gears sound like a power steering pump ready to give up the ghost.
If that's not reason enough, when you tie the crank and cam together via gears you increase harmonic vibration transferred to the valve train, no bueno.
If that's not reason enough, when you tie the crank and cam together via gears you increase harmonic vibration transferred to the valve train, no bueno.
Elder User
Joined: Sep 2012
Posts: 654
Likes: 2
From: The Lone Star State
A chain's probably about 1/8th the cost of a gear set and I'm pretty certain they don't add any HP. Unless maybe your racing and are looking for a bit more reliability, I'd stick with a chain.
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Elder User
Joined: Apr 2008
Posts: 542
Likes: 0
From: Dixon, IL
I have both on SBC, on my 450 hp 383, we used a "quiet" gear drive. With open headers, you can't even here it.
Using a gear drive is a trade off, accurate timing vs small loss in HP
in your case, I'd go chain all the the way.
Using a gear drive is a trade off, accurate timing vs small loss in HP
in your case, I'd go chain all the the way.
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Cargo Master
Joined: Apr 2009
Posts: 3,038
Likes: 4
From: South west Idaho
In my home area there seems to be more street driven chevys than fords with those whining grinding gears . Maybe it's a chevy thing to cover up the rest of the engine knocking, ha ha. You can hear them a block away coming in to car shows. Okay for racing but you can't drive around in a street car with the headers open to cover up the gear racket .But everybody for their own , I for one can't stand them on a street car.
Lead Driver
Joined: Mar 2004
Posts: 8,924
Likes: 153
The dog bone gear drives are junk, don't even bother wasting your money. Every set I've ever messed with needed degreed in and it's a real pia to move the gears. Not to mention everyone comming up to you and saying your power steering pump is shot.
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Senior User
Joined: May 2010
Posts: 144
Likes: 0
thanks for the info guys.i was wanting to see what i got myself into.the stock set at local parts store is almost $50 i ordered a gear drive from flea bay for $35 with shipping.so i hope my headers and glasspacks will drown out some of the sound. again thanks for the input
Fleet Owner
Joined: Dec 2009
Posts: 20,678
Likes: 83
From: NorCal
That's a really myopic approach in terms of its suitability for a daily driver. You'll end up spending more money in the long run.
Your nickels.