Using NOS fiber timing gears, yes or no?

[cjshaker]

When I used to help my Dad rebuild flatheads, he always used the factory fiber timing gears. Sometimes he'd use the .001 or .002 over gears if the engine was worn. In the flathead for my '49 Mercury (long gone), I preferred the aluminum gear because I liked the idea of solid gears. I never saw any of those engines have an issue, but that was a long time ago.



Fast forward 50 years, and now I have this question: I have a couple stacks of NOS fiber timing gears, early and late style, and was wondering if it's a bad idea to use them? To me, they are not like Bakelite, which can become brittle with age, and seem like they would be fine, but I admit I don't have the experience like some here. So I guess my question really is, would you use them, and has anyone had issues with trying to use "new" 70 year old fiber gears?

[cas3]

I would use a new aluminum gear myself.

[19Fordy]

I think using a NOS Ford factory fiber timing gear would not cause problems.
My 1953 OEM Ford factory fiber timing gear is still working fine on my 1953 8BA.

[Kube]

Originally Posted by cjshaker

When I used to help my Dad rebuild flatheads, he always used the factory fiber timing gears. Sometimes he'd use the .001 or .002 over gears if the engine was worn. In the flathead for my '49 Mercury (long gone), I preferred the aluminum gear because I liked the idea of solid gears. I never saw any of those engines have an issue, but that was a long time ago.



Fast forward 50 years, and now I have this question: I have a couple stacks of NOS fiber timing gears, early and late style, and was wondering if it's a bad idea to use them? To me, they are not like Bakelite, which can become brittle with age, and seem like they would be fine, but I admit I don't have the experience like some here. So I guess my question really is, would you use them, and has anyone had issues with trying to use "new" 70 year old fiber gears?

I have used these numerous times with no issue. Aluminum is nice as well but will cause a tad more noise. I like my engines whisper quiet so always go with the fiber gears.

As a side note of sorts, the modern fiber gears have a sordid history of very premature and catastrophic failure.

[DavidG]

We use only NOS fiber gears and have had no problems and as Mike notes, they are quieter than the aluminum versions..

[Flathead Fever]

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They should work fine but I wouldn't use them with higher valve spring pressures. Some of those stock flatheads I hear run are whisper quiet and that fiber gear contributes to that. The number of miles most people drive an old Ford they are never going to wear out a NOS Ford fiber gear in a rebuilt engine.

[cjshaker]

That's good to know they shouldn't present any problems. I know of a few all original flatheads still running without issues, but I didn't know if the engine oil had a part in their preservation. Thanks for the replies.

Originally Posted by Flathead Fever

They should work fine but I wouldn't use them with higher valve spring pressures. Some of those stock flatheads I hear run are whisper quiet and that fiber gear contributes to that. The number of miles most people drive an old Ford they are never going to wear out a NOS Ford fiber gear in a rebuilt engine.

I do have a couple of the aluminum gears, but this engine will not have a performance grind or spring increase. Aiming more for the 'whisper quiet' up front, except of course for the sewing machine sound of solid lifters, with a pleasing sound out the back (duals).

[rockfla]

Is there contact info for Dan McEachearn?

[Tim Ayers]

The gears made for the French military flatheads are also very high quality and are made better than the gears made by Ford.

Hopefully, with the recent auction of French motors and parts, more of these gear sets will come back onto the market.

[GB SISSON]

I like my flatheads as silent as possible at idle. The guy with a 'small block' can brag about his dyno readings all day long, but I never heard one idle like a stock flathead V8. I'd use the fiber gear.

[Ol' Ron]

No problem with a stock valve train and cam.
gramps

[deuce_roadster]

In our Regional Group we have a member with the KRW tool to install the fiber gear in the exact correct location. Unless I am using MUCH stronger valve springs in a performance engine, I will use a fiber gear for quietness.

[Pete]

Originally Posted by rockfla

Is there contact info for Dan McEachearn?

Try the forum members list.

[Merc Cruzer]

No issues with my fiber timing gear. It has been in the car for over 68,000 miles. I have heard the aluminum, gears are louder.

[petehoovie]

Originally Posted by Merc Cruzer

No issues with my fiber timing gear. It has been in the car for over 68,000 miles.

[Dan McEachern]

I currently don't make a replacement cam gear for the V-8 engine (yet). I have made straight cut sets for a few Bonneville guys though. I think I may have a few sets of those on the shelf. In any case, I can be reached at dmcgearsATyahooDOTcom

[petehoovie]

Originally Posted by Dan McEachern

I currently don't make a replacement cam gear for the V-8 engine (yet). I have made straight cut sets for a few Bonneville guys though. I think I may have a few sets of those on the shelf. In any case, I can be reached at dmcgearsATyahooDOTcom

[38 coupe]

I have replaced a stock fiber gear on a 53 Ford. A friend of mine owned the car. The engine developed a soft knocking sound on deceleration that sounded a bit like loose rod bearings. My friend diagnosed it as a worn out cam gear, and it was. I swapped in a new aluminum gear for him and the knocking sound went away. I did not notice any more noise with the aluminum gear than it previously had with the fiber gear. The car was recently sold to a different friend of mine and it continues to run very smoothly and quietly with a little over 100k miles on it (heads and intake have never been off).

[aussie merc]

NOS if stored properly should be ok with stock cam, valve springs and oil pump ; stock with stock Never on any engine thats not 100% stock and never 2ndhand .Cam gear failures can be catastrophic [not as bad as OHV] . Did some testing years ago after several cam gears failed and was surprised at how much the load on the cam gear increased with only minor changes to the valve train

[cjshaker]

Originally Posted by 38 coupe

I have replaced a stock fiber gear on a 53 Ford. A friend of mine owned the car. The engine developed a soft knocking sound on deceleration that sounded a bit like loose rod bearings. My friend diagnosed it as a worn out cam gear, and it was. I swapped in a new aluminum gear for him and the knocking sound went away. I did not notice any more noise with the aluminum gear than it previously had with the fiber gear. The car was recently sold to a different friend of mine and it continues to run very smoothly and quietly with a little over 100k miles on it (heads and intake have never been off).

This is why they made +.001 and +.002 cam gears. It makes a big difference in this area.


Aussie Merc, just curious, why would a cam gear failure be catastrophic in a flathead? The only issue I could see is if pieces got sucked into the oil pump, which I have seen happen on both flatheads and OHV engines.