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Old 01-06-2025, 10:39 AM   #1
old31
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Default Timing gear on a 31

Do I need to replace the timing gear due to the two chips on the gear, or is this OK?.

This car is used as a ice cream driver goes out three or four times a year.
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Old 01-06-2025, 10:59 AM   #2
katy
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Default Re: Timing gear on a 31

It would "probably" run OK, but it looks well worn, I'd suggest replacing it, not a lot of work. The crank gear looks well worn too, but it's more work to replace.
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Old 01-06-2025, 12:36 PM   #3
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Default Re: Timing gear on a 31

The hardest part of the metal gear change-out is dropping the oil pan.' And a puller that will fit the spot with the engine in place.

You could just replace the broken fiber gear for an ice cream runner - and get one of the better ones. IIRC there is a 0.005 "oversize" fiber gear.

A quick check of Snyders shows the 0.003 "macerated" gear is out of stock. A standard macerated gear is OOS. A 0.005 macerated gear is IN STOCK.

Most today in restoration go to the higher strength aluminum or even bronze gear.

Knowing Snyder's one can expect that even the macerated gear was probably high quality. Don will tell you more.

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Old 01-06-2025, 12:36 PM   #4
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Default Re: Timing gear on a 31

Quote:
This car is used as a ice cream driver goes out three or four times a year.
That depends on if you eat the ice cream there or take some home because when it fails the ice cream will melt...

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Old 01-06-2025, 12:41 PM   #5
Herb Concord Ca
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Default Re: Timing gear on a 31

Your fiber gear is only going to get worse. Replace it with an aluminum one, you won't regret it. It's a minor job to do. Did mine 2 years ago.
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Old 01-06-2025, 01:12 PM   #6
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Default Re: Timing gear on a 31

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Old 01-06-2025, 01:35 PM   #7
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Default Re: Timing gear on a 31

What prompted you to open things up? You are now on the way, so maybe time to replace things.
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Old 01-06-2025, 02:01 PM   #8
butch chase
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Default Re: Timing gear on a 31

Replace the timing gear with a fiber style. this is one time a fiber gear makes sense as you won't be far from home when it fails.

Last edited by butch chase; 01-06-2025 at 08:23 PM.
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Old 01-06-2025, 08:07 PM   #9
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Default Re: Timing gear on a 31

Replace with an aluminum gear. I got stranded by the side of the road once when a fiber gear completely failed.
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Old 01-06-2025, 09:28 PM   #10
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Default Re: Timing gear on a 31

That is just the beginning. They tend to fail at the worst time. Then you will need a tow. I replaced mine with the aluminum version. One less problem.
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Old 01-06-2025, 09:59 PM   #11
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Default Re: Timing gear on a 31

Another vote for the aluminum timing gear.
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Old 01-06-2025, 11:21 PM   #12
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Default Re: Timing gear on a 31

Quote:
Originally Posted by old31 View Post
Do I need to replace the timing gear due to the two chips on the gear, or is this OK?.

This car is used as a ice cream driver goes out three or four times a year.
Any Model A hates just being driven 3 or 4 times a year.The Model A's that run the best and have the least problems are those that are driven at least once a fortnight.Just like us humans we start to breakdown if we don't do regular exercise.
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Old 01-07-2025, 08:29 AM   #13
BRENT in 10-uh-C
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Default Re: Timing gear on a 31

For those of you recommending to swap to an Aluminum gear, ...what do you recommend when the Aluminum gear is too tight against the Crankshaft gear? I've seen that more than once.
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Old 01-07-2025, 12:06 PM   #14
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Default Re: Timing gear on a 31

Brent, so do you recommend the fiber gear or if using the aluminum one, be sure to check the amount of lash in the teeth of the two gears???
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Old 01-07-2025, 02:48 PM   #15
BRENT in 10-uh-C
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Default Re: Timing gear on a 31

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Brent, so do you recommend the fiber gear or if using the aluminum one, be sure to check the amount of lash in the teeth of the two gears???
Probably in this order, #1 the Dan McEachern bronze gear set, followed by the Aluminum T Gear (-providing it is fitted during the pouring process) followed by a fiber gear.
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Old 01-07-2025, 04:22 PM   #16
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Default Re: Timing gear on a 31

Watch someone get an 'offer' on here, to buy a NOS Ford Model A timing chain
If it's not still in the original box,,, stay away!
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Old 01-07-2025, 04:22 PM   #17
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Default Re: Timing gear on a 31

65 years with Model A’s. Only had one timing gear strip. That was on a field car. No a big issue to change.

I would stick with the fiber gear. Don’t worry about the other gear.

Enjoy.
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Old 01-07-2025, 06:25 PM   #18
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Default Re: Timing gear on a 31

Quote:
Originally Posted by BRENT in 10-uh-C View Post
Probably in this order, #1 the Dan McEachern bronze gear set, followed by the Aluminum T Gear (-providing it is fitted during the pouring process) followed by a fiber gear.
You could buy the cheaper aluminium gear from say Brattons.
Then do the measuring. If you then find you need a larger one, you can buy the correct one from Dan?
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Old 01-07-2025, 09:41 PM   #19
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Default Re: Timing gear on a 31

Quote:
Originally Posted by old31 View Post
Do I need to replace the timing gear due to the two chips on the gear, or is this OK?.

This car is used as a ice cream driver goes out three or four times a year.
You got to know when to fold them know when hold them know when to walk away ! For 3-4 short trips for ice cream , I hope you’re changing oil once a year. Your probably doing more damage only driving 3-4 times a year IMO than a couple of chipped teeth. Someone probably shoved a screwdriver between the gears tighten up the cam gear many years ago
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Old 01-08-2025, 06:06 AM   #20
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Default Re: Timing gear on a 31

The supply chain on the fiber gears is very weird right now.

Bert's - $55
Bratton's - $88
Snyder's - "Discontinued"

???
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