Notices
1973 - 1979 F-100 & Larger F-Series Trucks Discuss the Dentsides Ford Truck
Sponsored by:
Sponsored by: Moser

Swapping distributor gear

Thread Tools
 
Search this Thread
 
Old Jun 19, 2023 | 11:32 AM
  #1  
egchewy's Avatar
egchewy
Thread Starter
|
More Turbo
Photogenic
Liked
Loved
Community Favorite
Joined: Mar 2022
Posts: 692
Likes: 211
Swapping distributor gear




swapping dizzy gear. got a new HEI dizzy from Jegs and it came w/ a steel gear. I needed an iron gear since I have a flat tappet cam. the lower portion of the shaft is 2 pieces and it comes w/ a roll pin that goes through the original gear and the 2 parts of the shaft. Old gear is on the left, new iron one on right. as you can see, the new Holley iron gear is shorter and doesn't have the upper collar. trying to figure out how to get the new gear on. I'm assuming that I can't just put the roll pin in the upper shaft hole as it'll still hinge/pivot without the upper collar over it. could I cut the upper collar off the old gear and secure it w/ the roll pin? any other ideas?
 
Reply
Old Jun 19, 2023 | 12:15 PM
  #2  
beartracks's Avatar
beartracks
Lead Driver
25 Year Member
Photogenic
Joined: Nov 2000
Posts: 6,623
Likes: 342
From: Albuquerque
And that's for what motor?
 
Reply
Old Jun 19, 2023 | 01:53 PM
  #3  
egchewy's Avatar
egchewy
Thread Starter
|
More Turbo
Photogenic
Liked
Loved
Community Favorite
Joined: Mar 2022
Posts: 692
Likes: 211
Originally Posted by beartracks
And that's for what motor?
400/351m
flat tappet cam
 
Reply
Old Jun 19, 2023 | 02:11 PM
  #4  
440 sixpack's Avatar
440 sixpack
Lead Driver
5 Year Member
Photogenic
Photoriffic
Community Builder
Joined: Oct 2018
Posts: 7,842
Likes: 2,350
What a joke, I'd sent it back. last thing I'd want is a imported distributor with a shaft adapter kit.
 
Reply
Old Jun 19, 2023 | 03:01 PM
  #5  
beartracks's Avatar
beartracks
Lead Driver
25 Year Member
Photogenic
Joined: Nov 2000
Posts: 6,623
Likes: 342
From: Albuquerque
Yes, looks odd to me.
 
Reply
Old Jun 19, 2023 | 07:47 PM
  #6  
tbear853's Avatar
tbear853
Hotshot
20 Year Member
Shutterbug
Loved
Community Favorite
Joined: Feb 2004
Posts: 10,750
Likes: 2,587
From: The Shenandoah Valley
It doesn't hinge or pivot, it has to stay straight ... which is partly why they put that long gear on. I'd say hiding the joint was part of it too.

I don't see one in my future, especially after seeing this. I'll stick with Dura Spark II and carry a spare box.

That is a sad picture.
 
Reply
Old Jun 19, 2023 | 09:44 PM
  #7  
440 sixpack's Avatar
440 sixpack
Lead Driver
5 Year Member
Photogenic
Photoriffic
Community Builder
Joined: Oct 2018
Posts: 7,842
Likes: 2,350
Why do you think that's a steel gear ? steel gears are more expensive than iron , so I can't imagine they used steel. unless steel is required to hold that mess together.

 
Reply
Old Jun 19, 2023 | 09:55 PM
  #8  
egchewy's Avatar
egchewy
Thread Starter
|
More Turbo
Photogenic
Liked
Loved
Community Favorite
Joined: Mar 2022
Posts: 692
Likes: 211
Originally Posted by 440 sixpack
Why do you think that's a steel gear ? steel gears are more expensive than iron , so I can't imagine they used steel. unless steel is required to hold that mess together.
product description states steel gear. Called Jegs tech tonight and they assure me this is a drop in option for a 400/351m with a flat tappet. Not sure who to trust now
 
Reply
FTE Stories

Ford Trucks for Ford Truck Enthusiasts

story-0

Top 10 Ford Truck Tragedies

 Joe Kucinski
story-1

AEV FXL Super Duty - the Super Duty Raptor Ford Doesn't Make

 Brett Foote
story-2

Lobo Vs Lobo: Proof the F-150 Lobo Should Be Even Lower!

 Michael S. Palmer
story-3

Ford's 2001 Explorer Sportsman Concept Looks For a New Home

 Verdad Gallardo
story-4

10 Best Ford Truck Engines We Miss the Most!

 Joe Kucinski
story-5

2026 Shelby F-150 Off-Road: Better Than a Raptor R?

 Brett Foote
story-6

2027 Super Duty Carhartt Package First Look: 12 Things You NEED to Know!

 Michael S. Palmer
story-7

10 Most Surprising 2026 Ford Truck Features!

 Joe Kucinski
story-8

Top 10 Ford Trucks Coming to Mecum Indy 2026

 Brett Foote
story-9

5 Best / 5 Worst Ford Truck Wheels of All Time

 Joe Kucinski
Old Jun 19, 2023 | 10:31 PM
  #9  
tbear853's Avatar
tbear853
Hotshot
20 Year Member
Shutterbug
Loved
Community Favorite
Joined: Feb 2004
Posts: 10,750
Likes: 2,587
From: The Shenandoah Valley
I've never used steel or bronze, but Mr. Google has the dope. Just ask the right question, like this ... distributor gear material use? - Google Search

I don't know what cam you have, but if a regular old school flat tappet cam, I'd run a iron gear, melanized is something new, but it's good too.
 
Reply
Old Jun 20, 2023 | 11:24 AM
  #10  
5851a's Avatar
5851a
Logistics Pro
15 Year Member
Liked
Community Favorite
Joined: Oct 2006
Posts: 4,028
Likes: 890
From: East Central Ia
If you could send it back for a refund, I'd try. Just the possibility of setting proper end play doesn't look possible with that set up. Proper Ford gears came with no holes drilled, you had to set end play, press gear on to right height and drill hole through gear and shaft for roll pin. Press fit is very important since the gear drives oil pump. Many may get away with "Drop in fit" I'm not that lucky. May I ask why you needed another distributor?
 
Reply
Old Jun 20, 2023 | 12:18 PM
  #11  
egchewy's Avatar
egchewy
Thread Starter
|
More Turbo
Photogenic
Liked
Loved
Community Favorite
Joined: Mar 2022
Posts: 692
Likes: 211
Originally Posted by 5851a
If you could send it back for a refund, I'd try. Just the possibility of setting proper end play doesn't look possible with that set up. Proper Ford gears came with no holes drilled, you had to set end play, press gear on to right height and drill hole through gear and shaft for roll pin. Press fit is very important since the gear drives oil pump. Many may get away with "Drop in fit" I'm not that lucky. May I ask why you needed another distributor?
New engine. New dizzy
engine builder included this new HEI distributor and I figured I would try to get it to work, eliminate the need for the duraspark unit and a coil.
 
Reply
Old Jun 20, 2023 | 12:30 PM
  #12  
5851a's Avatar
5851a
Logistics Pro
15 Year Member
Liked
Community Favorite
Joined: Oct 2006
Posts: 4,028
Likes: 890
From: East Central Ia
Ok, I see. Dura spark has served me very well since 1978.
 
Reply
Old Jun 20, 2023 | 07:31 PM
  #13  
440 sixpack's Avatar
440 sixpack
Lead Driver
5 Year Member
Photogenic
Photoriffic
Community Builder
Joined: Oct 2018
Posts: 7,842
Likes: 2,350
I'd take the durashart any day over an imported chevy distributor with an adjustable shaft.
 
Reply
Old Jun 21, 2023 | 09:09 AM
  #14  
beartracks's Avatar
beartracks
Lead Driver
25 Year Member
Photogenic
Joined: Nov 2000
Posts: 6,623
Likes: 342
From: Albuquerque
I personally prefer MSD all in one. All you need is a coil and ignition hot lead.
 
Reply
Related Topics
Thread
Thread Starter
Forum
Replies
Last Post
speedfreak78
1973 - 1979 F-100 & Larger F-Series Trucks
4
Apr 8, 2023 10:31 AM
Rusty_S
Small Block V8 (221, 260, 289, 5.0/302, 5.8/351W)
11
Nov 11, 2022 01:43 AM
Hillcapper
Small Block V8 (221, 260, 289, 5.0/302, 5.8/351W)
6
May 7, 2009 10:05 AM
beartracks
Electrical Systems/Wiring
1
Sep 19, 2008 09:42 PM
websthes
1987 - 1996 F150 & Larger F-Series Trucks
7
Apr 20, 2005 08:39 AM




All times are GMT -5. The time now is 05:11 AM.

story-0
Top 10 Ford Truck Tragedies

Slideshow: Top 10 Ford truck tragedies.

By Joe Kucinski | 2026-05-18 19:34:33


VIEW MORE
story-1
AEV FXL Super Duty - the Super Duty Raptor Ford Doesn't Make

And it might be even better than that.

By Brett Foote | 2026-05-18 19:26:42


VIEW MORE
story-2
Lobo Vs Lobo: Proof the F-150 Lobo Should Be Even Lower!

Slideshow: Does lowering an F-150 Lobo RUIN the ride quality?

By Michael S. Palmer | 2026-05-18 19:20:37


VIEW MORE
story-3
Ford's 2001 Explorer Sportsman Concept Looks For a New Home

Slideshow: Ford's bizarre fishing-themed Explorer concept has resurfaced after spending decades largely forgotten.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-05-12 18:07:46


VIEW MORE
story-4
10 Best Ford Truck Engines We Miss the Most!

Slideshow: The 10 best Ford truck engines we miss the most.

By Joe Kucinski | 2026-05-12 13:09:47


VIEW MORE
story-5
2026 Shelby F-150 Off-Road: Better Than a Raptor R?

Slideshow: first look at the 810 hp 2026 Shelby F-150 Off-Road!

By Brett Foote | 2026-05-12 12:50:07


VIEW MORE
story-6
2027 Super Duty Carhartt Package First Look: 12 Things You NEED to Know!

Slideshow: Everything You Need to Know about the 2027 Super Duty Carhartt Package!

By Michael S. Palmer | 2026-05-07 17:51:06


VIEW MORE
story-7
10 Most Surprising 2026 Ford Truck Features!

Slideshow: 10 most surprising Ford truck options/features in 2026.

By Joe Kucinski | 2026-05-05 11:17:22


VIEW MORE
story-8
Top 10 Ford Trucks Coming to Mecum Indy 2026

Slideshow: Here are the top 10 Fords coming to Mecum Indy 2026.

By Brett Foote | 2026-05-04 13:49:49


VIEW MORE
story-9
5 Best / 5 Worst Ford Truck Wheels of All Time

Slideshow: The 5 best and 5 worst Ford truck wheels of all time

By Joe Kucinski | 2026-04-29 16:49:01


VIEW MORE