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Roller cam and bronze distributor gear #3093823
11/12/22 10:39 PM
11/12/22 10:39 PM
Joined: Dec 2004
Posts: 733
Northern Virginia
Moparmaniacc Offline OP
super stock
Moparmaniacc  Offline OP
super stock

Joined: Dec 2004
Posts: 733
Northern Virginia
I got my 440 rebuilt and the builder used a Comp Cams 23-600-9 billet steel roller cam. He reused my original distributor gear.

Somone said if I don't use a bronze distributor gear then it will damage the billet cam's steel drive and cause all sorts of problems. Is this true or can I leave it alone?.

If not do I need distributor gear made out of bronze, or one that has been melonized?

Re: Roller cam and bronze distributor gear [Re: Moparmaniacc] #3093833
11/12/22 11:13 PM
11/12/22 11:13 PM
Joined: Aug 2003
Posts: 43,007
Bend,OR USA
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Cab_Burge Offline
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Cab_Burge  Offline
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Bend,OR USA
A stock OEM gear will die young on your steel core solid roller camshaft.
I've used the bronze gears on several street and strip cars with no issues up to 3000 miles, others on here have had less luck on them work shruggy
I bought several of melanized gears last year for both BB and SB Mopars, shop around to see if to see if you can buy one also scope up twocents


Mr.Cab Racing and winning with Mopars since 1964. (Old F--t, Huh)
Re: Roller cam and bronze distributor gear [Re: Cab_Burge] #3093908
11/13/22 11:26 AM
11/13/22 11:26 AM
Joined: Dec 2004
Posts: 733
Northern Virginia
Moparmaniacc Offline OP
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Moparmaniacc  Offline OP
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Posts: 733
Northern Virginia
I can't seem to find melonized gears for Mopar, only brand X.

I found a bronze one and some sellers say it fits 383/400, only one seller says it fits 383/400/440. Comp Cams 424 .484" I.D. Bronze Distributor Gear for Chrysler B 383-400/426 HEM

Re: Roller cam and bronze distributor gear [Re: Moparmaniacc] #3093917
11/13/22 11:48 AM
11/13/22 11:48 AM
Joined: Sep 2005
Posts: 232
Tennessee
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CUDASCOTT Offline
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Tennessee
The gear/pump drive are the same for all B/RB and hemi engines. If it fits a 400 it will fit all big blocks.

Re: Roller cam and bronze distributor gear [Re: CUDASCOTT] #3093919
11/13/22 11:51 AM
11/13/22 11:51 AM
Joined: Jan 2003
Posts: 10,666
North Dakota
6PakBee Offline
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North Dakota


"We live in a time when intelligent people are being silenced so that stupid people won't be offended".
Re: Roller cam and bronze distributor gear [Re: CUDASCOTT] #3093921
11/13/22 11:52 AM
11/13/22 11:52 AM
Joined: Jan 2003
Posts: 6,221
JERSEY
RJS Offline
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JERSEY
If he didn't use the bronze gear check to make sure he put the proper fuel pump pushrod in with a bronze tip also!
Ron

Re: Roller cam and bronze distributor gear [Re: RJS] #3094219
11/14/22 08:48 PM
11/14/22 08:48 PM
Joined: Nov 2003
Posts: 2,936
GA
roadrunninMark Offline
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GA
I have a used one for sale. I have had it out of the car since 93. I can't give you a number of how many miles are on it as I bought it already in the engine. I would estimate I put less than 500 miles on it from 88 -93. I don't think it saw much use from the previous own either. PM me if interested.

Re: Roller cam and bronze distributor gear [Re: Moparmaniacc] #3094278
11/15/22 06:01 AM
11/15/22 06:01 AM
Joined: Mar 2007
Posts: 3,275
West Coast, USA
jbc426 Offline
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West Coast, USA
Don't use that stock intermediate shaft or a used gear of any type. As mentioned above, Hughes Engines sells the bronze gear and the melonized gear. With a new cam, I would use the melonized gear for longevity.

Make sure you use a distributor collar to limit the up and down movement of the gear. Left uncontrolled, the gear can move up and down too much, which really accelerates wear, especially on the bronze gear. Also check your intermediate shaft bushing for excessive play.

I have wondered if cryogenicly treating the bronze gear would be of any benefit, but have never tested that idea.


1970 Plymouth 'Cuda #'s 440-6(block in storage)currently 493" 6 pack, Shaker, 5 speed Passon, 4.10's
1968 Plymouth Barracuda Convertible 408 Magnum EFI with 4 speed automatic overdrive, 3800 stall lock-up converter and 4.30's (closest thing to an automatic 5 speed going)
Re: Roller cam and bronze distributor gear [Re: jbc426] #3094285
11/15/22 08:50 AM
11/15/22 08:50 AM
Joined: Jan 2005
Posts: 4,369
Michigan
MarkZ Offline
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Michigan
That's such an unbelievable rookie mistake I would be woried what else that "builder" did.


1987 Fifth Avenue - 512/518/D60
Re: Roller cam and bronze distributor gear [Re: Moparmaniacc] #3094288
11/15/22 09:02 AM
11/15/22 09:02 AM
Joined: Dec 2021
Posts: 1,072
Loudoun County, VA
Brad_Haak Offline
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Brad_Haak  Offline
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Loudoun County, VA
OP - Who / where is this builder? I'm also located in Northern Virginia. Thx

Also, I have a spare new 440 Source bronze gear on shaft , if you need one. However, I also recommend going w/ the Hughes (Crane) melonized gear, if they're still available.


2021 Challenger 6.4L Scat Pack 1320 (2022)
100% stock: 1.680, 11.894 at 113.75 (DA 175 ft)
wheels, tires, air filter: 1.714, 11.833 at 115.80 (DA 310 ft)

1973 Challenger 452 ci street/strip (2008)
pump gas, DOT radials: 1.454, 10.523 at 126.44 (DA 514 ft)
Re: Roller cam and bronze distributor gear [Re: Brad_Haak] #3094294
11/15/22 09:49 AM
11/15/22 09:49 AM
Joined: Feb 2014
Posts: 1,695
central il.
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second 70 Offline
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central il.
I remember when Chance (or Chase) still worked at Crane. He told me they never had any problems or failures using a stock gear on Mopar roller cams when used with a regular oil pump. Said it was only when you went up to HP or HV did it cause problems.

Last edited by second 70; 11/15/22 12:35 PM.
Re: Roller cam and bronze distributor gear [Re: second 70] #3094379
11/15/22 02:11 PM
11/15/22 02:11 PM
Joined: Feb 2003
Posts: 381
Denver CO
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bennydodge Offline
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Denver CO
I believe Crane used iron gears on many of the roller cams they made-pressed on I think?? This allowed the use of the stock intermediate shaft.


73 Challenger 340(416),E-heads, 727, 3.23 SG
2015 Challenger R/T classic B5, wife's car
2010 Ram 3500 Crew Cab SLT dually 4X4
2016 Challenger Hellcat Redline Red A8
Re: Roller cam and bronze distributor gear [Re: bennydodge] #3094385
11/15/22 02:36 PM
11/15/22 02:36 PM
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Posts: 3,913
usa
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lewtot184 Offline
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usa
Originally Posted by bennydodge
I believe Crane used iron gears on many of the roller cams they made-pressed on I think?? This allowed the use of the stock intermediate shaft.
they did it on some chevy cams. not easy to do on mopar big block. there aren't any timing concerns when doing a pressed gear on a small block chevy.

if the cam was ran with an iron gear for any length of time i'd yank the cam for full inspection. if the gear on the cam has any damage it will probably wreck a bronze gear.

Last edited by lewtot184; 11/15/22 02:39 PM.
Re: Roller cam and bronze distributor gear [Re: lewtot184] #3094504
11/15/22 09:59 PM
11/15/22 09:59 PM
Joined: Feb 2003
Posts: 381
Denver CO
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bennydodge Offline
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Denver CO
When I looked many years ago all the crane hydraulic rollers for small block Mopars had iron gears. I can't speak to what they did on big block Mopars.


73 Challenger 340(416),E-heads, 727, 3.23 SG
2015 Challenger R/T classic B5, wife's car
2010 Ram 3500 Crew Cab SLT dually 4X4
2016 Challenger Hellcat Redline Red A8
Re: Roller cam and bronze distributor gear [Re: bennydodge] #3094576
11/16/22 08:14 AM
11/16/22 08:14 AM
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Posts: 6,175
nowhere
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Sniper Offline
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nowhere
Originally Posted by bennydodge
When I looked many years ago all the crane hydraulic rollers for small block Mopars had iron gears. I can't speak to what they did on big block Mopars.


It's the gear and rear journal that is pressed on. Good luck finding one now.







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