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bobbader · 07-11-2021, 10:54 AM

Timing gears often get chewed up by lack of lubrication to the distributor. Eventually, the distributor shaft seizes up. With pressure still on the system, the timing gear (cam gear) becomes the path of least resistance (again, usually fiber, bronze, or aluminum rubbing against a steel crank gear) and the teeth on the it start to get chewed up. This can be a slow process over time or happen immediately when the distributor seizes.

The other standard culprit is a pitted steel crank gear. While we like to believe these vehicles never saw any rough service or periods of disuse, after 90 years, most of them have had periods (short or long) where they have been laid up. this results in condensation inside the engine, settling of lubricant on anything that rests above the "full" line in the oil pan, and then rust sets in. I've pulled down my share of oil pans in running vehicles where everything inside looks factory fresh only to find crank gears with significant pitting on some or all of it's teeth. Even though the cam gear has a steady flow of oil flowing over it from the valve chamber, the pitting on the crank gear will eventually take it's toll on the softer cam gear.

07-11-2021, 10:54 AM	#8
bobbader Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: Huntington, NY Posts: 271	Re: Steel timing gear destroyed Timing gears often get chewed up by lack of lubrication to the distributor. Eventually, the distributor shaft seizes up. With pressure still on the system, the timing gear (cam gear) becomes the path of least resistance (again, usually fiber, bronze, or aluminum rubbing against a steel crank gear) and the teeth on the it start to get chewed up. This can be a slow process over time or happen immediately when the distributor seizes. The other standard culprit is a pitted steel crank gear. While we like to believe these vehicles never saw any rough service or periods of disuse, after 90 years, most of them have had periods (short or long) where they have been laid up. this results in condensation inside the engine, settling of lubricant on anything that rests above the "full" line in the oil pan, and then rust sets in. I've pulled down my share of oil pans in running vehicles where everything inside looks factory fresh only to find crank gears with significant pitting on some or all of it's teeth. Even though the cam gear has a steady flow of oil flowing over it from the valve chamber, the pitting on the crank gear will eventually take it's toll on the softer cam gear.