Any suggestions on a gear drive for a 440? I've seen a few different ones. Yes it's for the sound

I do want to be able to advance or retard the cam - I don't know how it works with a gear drive.

There are a couple of different style gear drive set ups readily avaialble. One uses floating idler gears between the cam& crank gear, this kind of system usually fits under stock timing cover even though you have to "fit them", which usually means block and/or shaft trimming. I consider these flimsy, they have slack if you turn the crank back and forth, and they are not very reliable. I have used them in three engines, and have had troubles with two of them because of wear; they start trying to climb on a tooth, and in the other casedid & broke some teeth, valves etc. This was after some 20 000 miles. Don't know if this style is available for small blocks, but in big blocks the cam timing is done with offset bushings. Pretty easy to set up. Brands like Pete Jackson, Edelbrock and "no name" are available, I believe only for three bolt cams. Prices between around 100-250$.

The other style is a fixed idler, where is only one idler egar that in small blocks is fitted under the stock cover, and in big block comes with a cast cover where the idler gear is attached to. This is very accurate and super reliable. It's pretty easy to set up and the cam timing systen is genious and easy to change once you figure it out. there are some drawbacks though becausee of the thicker than stock timing cover, pulley alignment and damper depth may need trimming, and the price is considerably steeper.Available also for three bolt cams only.

Both of them truly makes some noice, I actually got fed up with it and in the futurer will only use quality chains or belt.

We put a Pete Jackson in the kids 413 about 9 years ago.Its street driven and raced.No problems at all.He does put a ton of miles on it.It was an easy install.Like said you do need a 3 bolt cam.Rocky

This is the best one the cheap under cover ones are available on flea bay or 440 source.
http://www.summitracing.com/parts/MIL-13000/

http://store.440source.com/Gear-Drives/products/120/

Thank you very much for all the info!

Your welcome. I have two of the Milidons one on the shelf! LOL!! you need degree equipment to set it up but nice after easy to advance or retard cam once it is all marked.
The 440 source/CAT ones have the offset bushings for the cam dowel to degree the cam. I put one on a motor I ran for years and freshed guy said it was too noisy LOL they had a noisy and quiet (still noisy but not as bad) back then and this was the noisy!!!

Yeah - I'm trying to relive my youth again and be a punk. Plus in a few years when my son drives it, he'll put fear into all the little import driving rats at his school!

As a completely different way to get the sound, I read about a guy that had a street rod. He wanted the sound too, but didn't want it all the time and have the issues with wear. He took an old AM radio and hid it. Then he mounted the antenna and a speaker under the hood. Last, he wired a toggle switch to the radio.
When the radio was off, no sound. When he turned the switch on, the radio powered up, the antenna picked up the ignition noise, and the radio played that thru the speaker. Instant gear drive sound, with a volume control and the ability to turn it off when not cruising!
A lot cheaper too! I'd imagine that selecting the right speaker and adjusting the tone control could get exactly the sound you want.

I thought I had it beat with a card pined to the shroud and it rubbing the fan blade

but thats just funny right there,kinda like the blower on the road warrior car..no?