Timing gear fiber or aluminum

[luvmyclassics]

Getting ready to start the rebuild of my 51 Flathead V8. The timing gear which I removed was the fiber type. It looks to be in very good condition.

Is there some reason to switch to aluminum?

Is it OK to reuse the fiber timing gear?

[tubman]

For a stock rebuild, the original fiber gear is probably OK if you're on a budget. The extra cost of an aluminum gear is probably a good way to spend your money, especially with the years and miles that are probably on the engine. One thing you should not do is purchase a new fiber gear. They are mostly imported and there have been several reports of them failing in a few thousand miles.

[Karl Wolf]

If you go for aluminum you may be assured that it won't fail.
On the road. Far from home.

Karl

[Bored&Stroked]

Do not purchase a repop fiber one - just go ahead and get a high quality aluminum one and never think about it again!

[JSeery]

I would sure be tempted to replace it while it's apart.

[Drbrown]

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Don't know from personal experience but note that some have posted they prefer fiber as being quieter.

[deucemac]

As said before, fiber gears are quiet. They are most quiet when you are sitting at the side of the road waiting for the tow truck! An aluminum gear is a one time install and saves the cost of a tow.

[Mac VP]

Go with the aluminum......

[chap52]

Aluminum for sure.

[Kube]

There have been numerous stories recently in regard to repop fiber gears failing. One such story hit "close to home" and tore the engine up quite badly when the gear came apart.
Like many others before me, I'd suggest either aluminum or a NOS or old NORS fiber gear. Stay far away from the current repop's.

[40Pickup]

How to tell them apart, NOS and Repop's?
Some pictures please.

Thanks!
Jorgen

[JSeery]

There have been reports of NOS gears coming apart as well! No personal experience, but why would you want to take a chance?

[AnthonyG]

My lesson learned the hard way. I had a '70 vintage V8, put a lot of work & $'s into rebuilding the engine. My 1st complete rebuild. I went with a stock correct part# fiber timing gear as part of a kit without giving it much thought. It let loose at a couple thousand miles with busted valves, wiped cam, busted pistons and scored cylinders. Couple thousand $ to get back to where I was. This time went with an aftermarket performance grade aluminum timing gear. At the time $12 for the fiber $20 for the aluminum. Never used fiber again on any rebuilds. If I saw one always replaced with metal.

[JM 35 Sedan]

I've posted pictures a couple times here recently of a repro fiber timing gear that had teeth worn and stripped in less than 2k miles. Replaced with aluminum that now has 25-30k miles with no problems. Another vote to go aluminum. Never noticed any additional noise with aluminum vs. fiber, but then I'm running without a muffler and can't hear that well anyway .