Cam gear Question

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Jul 27, 2021 | 11:35 PM

jernigan

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Cross-Country

Joined: Sep 2020

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Cam gear Question

I have a 1990 F150 5.0, I have a 99 explorer 5.0 in the truck now just about ready to start it and got to thinking. Did I need to change the gear on the cam to a steel gear? Or will the gear on my 1990 distributor be ok with the roller cam?

Jul 28, 2021 | 06:19 AM

timbersteel

Logistics Pro

Joined: Mar 2005

Posts: 4,698

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From: Mexico, Missouri

The 1990 5.0 would have been a flat tappet that used a cast iron cam gear. The Explorer cam is roller that used a steel cam gear.

Good job checking before starting it. The cam gear on the distributor would be chewed away in short time. Once you swap it, you should be ok.

Steel on roller, cast iron on tappet.

Jul 28, 2021 | 04:31 PM

Mikulh

Laughing Gas

Joined: Dec 2005

Posts: 904

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From: Laurel, MS

Yes. You need a steel distributor gear to be compatible with the roller cam.

Jul 28, 2021 | 07:05 PM

jernigan

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Cross-Country

Joined: Sep 2020

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Does anyone know what year the F150s went with a roller block? I thought around 94 needing to know so I can order a drive gear for my distributor, I need it to fit on my 90 model distributor.

Jul 28, 2021 | 07:50 PM

Zrt1200

Mountain Pass

Joined: Sep 2020

Posts: 249

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From: Mid Michigan

My 94 351w is a roller cam block F4TE. As for distributor gear you will need to know the OD of the distributor shaft. See the OD sizes on the Summit link....

https://www.summitracing.com/search/...ibutor%20gears