The Ford Barn

Shoat · 10-30-2013, 11:22 PM

Are aluminum timing gears noisier
Than fiber gears? Will a new metal timing and crank
Shaft gear mesh in over time and get quiter?

PC/SR · 10-30-2013, 11:49 PM

Metal gears are quiet if they are fit to proper tolerance. They do not get quieter with use. Its excess backlash that causes noise. Fiber gears are more forgiving.

CarlG · 10-31-2013, 12:00 AM

Just buy a matched set from Dan McEachern:

Timing Gears:
Dan McEachern, 920 Pearl Street, Alameda, CA 94501 510-532-8228 [email protected]

John LaVoy · 10-31-2013, 09:41 AM

We have the bronze timing gear in every engine. Like was said get a matched set and you won't have any noise problem.

PC/SR · 10-31-2013, 11:09 AM

Dan's gears are works of art and I highly recommend them. HOwever, even a matched set will make noise if the engine tolerances are off. I know. The standard size metal gear set made noise, while the fiber gear did not. I had to go with a .002 oversize cam gear, which Dan makes.

Over the years, with wear and re-babbitting the crankshaft/camshaft dimensions may change. We are only talking just a couple of thousandths here. Do not assume, as I did, that a quiet fiber gear must be fitting right and therefore it is OK to order a standard gearset. The softer fiber will absorb a rattle sound when the metal will not.

I highly recommend you measure the backlash, at 3-4 places around the gear, before you tear it down and pull it out and before you place an order. A standard feeler gauge will do the job if you cut it down to a narrow tip to fit in between the gears. And you have to get it in at least to the center of the gears, measuring the edges is not good enough.

Then measure for backlash at 3-4 places again on installation. Measure for wobble too.

Dan is a really good guy and will usually exchange if you have not used the gear. I do not want Dan or his gears to get blamed for noise when the problem is clearance.

KGBnut · 10-31-2013, 07:25 PM

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I went from fiber to aluminum (from Bratton's). I noticed no increase in engine noise.

Not too bad a job... two hours, and that was taking my time.

cedar · 11-02-2013, 06:49 PM

I run a aluminum gear---no noise.

10-30-2013, 11:22 PM	#1
Shoat Member Join Date: Oct 2012 Posts: 41	Timing Gear Are aluminum timing gears noisier Than fiber gears? Will a new metal timing and crank Shaft gear mesh in over time and get quiter?

10-30-2013, 11:49 PM	#2
PC/SR Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: Santa Rosa, CA Posts: 1,278	Re: Timing Gear Metal gears are quiet if they are fit to proper tolerance. They do not get quieter with use. Its excess backlash that causes noise. Fiber gears are more forgiving.

10-31-2013, 12:00 AM	#3
CarlG Senior Member Join Date: Nov 2010 Location: Anchorage, Alaska Posts: 9,115	Re: Timing Gear Just buy a matched set from Dan McEachern: Timing Gears: Dan McEachern, 920 Pearl Street, Alameda, CA 94501 510-532-8228 [email protected] __________________ Alaskan A's Antique Auto Mushers of Alaska Model A Ford Club of America Model A Restorers Club Antique Automobile Club of America Mullins Owner's Club

10-31-2013, 09:41 AM	#4
John LaVoy Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: Rocklin, CA Posts: 1,219	Re: Timing Gear We have the bronze timing gear in every engine. Like was said get a matched set and you won't have any noise problem.

10-31-2013, 11:09 AM	#5
PC/SR Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: Santa Rosa, CA Posts: 1,278	Re: Timing Gear Dan's gears are works of art and I highly recommend them. HOwever, even a matched set will make noise if the engine tolerances are off. I know. The standard size metal gear set made noise, while the fiber gear did not. I had to go with a .002 oversize cam gear, which Dan makes. Over the years, with wear and re-babbitting the crankshaft/camshaft dimensions may change. We are only talking just a couple of thousandths here. Do not assume, as I did, that a quiet fiber gear must be fitting right and therefore it is OK to order a standard gearset. The softer fiber will absorb a rattle sound when the metal will not. I highly recommend you measure the backlash, at 3-4 places around the gear, before you tear it down and pull it out and before you place an order. A standard feeler gauge will do the job if you cut it down to a narrow tip to fit in between the gears. And you have to get it in at least to the center of the gears, measuring the edges is not good enough. Then measure for backlash at 3-4 places again on installation. Measure for wobble too. Dan is a really good guy and will usually exchange if you have not used the gear. I do not want Dan or his gears to get blamed for noise when the problem is clearance.

10-31-2013, 07:25 PM	#6
KGBnut Senior Member Join Date: Jul 2011 Location: Southwestern Connecticut Posts: 931	Re: Timing Gear Sponsored Links (Register now to hide all advertisements) I went from fiber to aluminum (from Bratton's). I noticed no increase in engine noise. Not too bad a job... two hours, and that was taking my time. __________________ Style beats speed any day, and with a lot fewer tickets.

11-02-2013, 06:49 PM	#7
cedar Member Join Date: Jun 2010 Posts: 32	Re: Timing Gear I run a aluminum gear---no noise.