Stripped timing gear

[Jacksonlll]

I am replacing a stripped gear and was wondering what else I should look for that might have caused the strip. If the gear was old and weak, that's ok, but what what else could cause a good gear to strip?

[WHN]

There are many things that over a period of time could add to a failure.

One thing you know for sure with a Model A is that if you drive it. Some day you will be replacing the timing gear.

In a high mileage engine things move around more. The fiber gear is made to take that movement and fail first. Rather replace a timing gear than cam or crank shaft, etc.

Not a big job. Enjoy.

[mike657894]

anything that could stop the cam would strip the gear.

[Patrick L.]

I'd recommend taking a good look at the crank gear for condition, such as pitting/rust.

And also take a look at the camshaft and distributor drive gear.

[Dave in MN]

A rough/worn crankshaft gear, too little or too much clearance between the gears will also cause failure. If you stripped the teeth, the teeth will be in the pan or the fibers will be lodged against the oil pump screen. I have also seen the oil return passage in the rear main cap plugged with the remnants of the timing gear. It is good practice to check the pump and the rear main cap passage and drop tube.
Sorry to hear you had trouble.
BTW: Just came through your lovely State while on a 4 week road trip. Drivers in Michigan were very polite...
Good Day!

[glenn in camino]

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Back in the early 70s when I bought my 28 station wagon, I was driving it around my neighborhood when it just quit. I opened the distributor and turned the engine with my hand crank. I noticed that the rotor wasn't turning. I removed the timing cover side plate and saw that several teeth on the timing gear were missing. I towed it home, removed the bad gear, and replaced it
with an aluminum one. It was noisy but it worked until I had the engine rebuilt
I now always use an aluminum or bronze timing gear.