Go Back   The Ford Barn > General Discussion > Early V8 (1932-53)

Sponsored Links (Register now to hide all advertisements)

Reply
 
Thread Tools Display Modes
Old 02-06-2019, 02:34 PM   #1
Scotty's 52 F3
Senior Member
 
Scotty's 52 F3's Avatar
 
Join Date: Dec 2015
Location: Marana, AZ.
Posts: 404
Default 8BA Timing Gears, Any brand better than the others?

I did a search and didn't find much regarding quality of the different brands available.

I see Offenhauser, Cloyes, Sealed Power, Elgin and Melling. I can't find where they are made. I prefer U.S.A if possible but, best quality is priority.

Many parts numbers are the same or similar. Is this a matter of one manufacturer and re-branding?

I see a couple sold as sets. Are they "matched" gear sets or just the cam and crank gear sold together?

I haven't inspected the distributor gears or the oil pump gears as the engine is still in use. I'm still in the planning and parts gathering phase of my engine build.

IF they do warrant replacement, are there recommended brands for these as well?
Scotty's 52 F3 is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 02-06-2019, 02:51 PM   #2
supereal
Senior Member
 
supereal's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jul 2014
Location: Iowa
Posts: 1,634
Default Re: 8BA Timing Gears, Any brand better than the others?

There are two types of timing gears for the 8BA.. One made of fiber, part number 8BA-6256. There is also an aluminum version used in pickup trucks, 8BA-6256-A. The fiber version tends to be quieter. Both are available from C&G (800) 266-o470, about $60.
supereal is offline   Reply With Quote
Sponsored Links (Register now to hide all advertisements)
Old 02-06-2019, 02:56 PM   #3
JSeery
Member Emeritus
 
JSeery's Avatar
 
Join Date: Nov 2012
Location: Wichita KS
Posts: 16,132
Default Re: 8BA Timing Gears, Any brand better than the others?

Others have reported problems with the fiber gears, I have no personnel experience with them, I have always used the alum ones. My guess would be there is only one source, or at least very few.
JSeery is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 02-06-2019, 06:14 PM   #4
flatjack9
Senior Member
 
flatjack9's Avatar
 
Join Date: May 2010
Location: Oshkosh, Wi
Posts: 4,516
Default Re: 8BA Timing Gears, Any brand better than the others?

Gears sets do not have to be matched, except for the pitch. 8BA and 59AB are different.
flatjack9 is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 02-06-2019, 09:19 PM   #5
Scotty's 52 F3
Senior Member
 
Scotty's 52 F3's Avatar
 
Join Date: Dec 2015
Location: Marana, AZ.
Posts: 404
Default Re: 8BA Timing Gears, Any brand better than the others?

Thanks for the replies. I understand the fiber vs aluminum.

I'm going to use aluminum, just didn't know if one brand is better than the other. Trying to avoid a Chinese knockoff and hopefully get one of quality.
Scotty's 52 F3 is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 02-06-2019, 09:26 PM   #6
papanomad
Senior Member
 
papanomad's Avatar
 
Join Date: Feb 2014
Location: clear lake, iowa
Posts: 157
Default Re: 8BA Timing Gears, Any brand better than the others?

Sponsored Links (Register now to hide all advertisements)
try Fred at southside obsolete for nos gear.
papanomad is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 02-06-2019, 09:42 PM   #7
Pete
Senior Member
 
Pete's Avatar
 
Join Date: May 2010
Location: Wa.
Posts: 5,374
Default Re: 8BA Timing Gears, Any brand better than the others?

Dan MacEachern has the best ones.
He is member of Fordbarn.
Pete is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 02-06-2019, 10:01 PM   #8
Scotty's 52 F3
Senior Member
 
Scotty's 52 F3's Avatar
 
Join Date: Dec 2015
Location: Marana, AZ.
Posts: 404
Default Re: 8BA Timing Gears, Any brand better than the others?

Thanks for the info!
Scotty's 52 F3 is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 02-06-2019, 10:09 PM   #9
Flathead Fever
Senior Member
 
Flathead Fever's Avatar
 
Join Date: May 2010
Location: Yucaipa, CA
Posts: 1,091
Default Re: 8BA Timing Gears, Any brand better than the others?

"I see Offenhauser, Cloyes, Sealed Power, Elgin and Melling. I can't find where they are made. I prefer U.S.A if possible but, best quality is priority".

(ABOVE) Year's ago those were all USA made, quality parts. Who knows anymore?


I found an old post on 4 banger timing gears. These guys recommend buying a new cam and crank gear from the same manufacturer or they could be noisy using a aftermarket aluminum gear with an original crank gear. Dan MacEachern commented on this post. Does he make flathead V8 gears too or just 4 banger stuff?

https://www.fordbarn.com/forum/showthread.php?t=80091


Rock Auto has a selection of timing gears. There are a lot of parts available for flatheads at Rock Auto. It still doesn't answer your question of which one is the best?

https://www.rockauto.com/en/catalog/ford,1950,f1,3.9l+239cid+v8,1487177,engine,timing+ cam+gear,5745[/url]

Last edited by Flathead Fever; 02-06-2019 at 10:29 PM.
Flathead Fever is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 02-06-2019, 10:49 PM   #10
Ol' Ron
Senior Member
 
Ol' Ron's Avatar
 
Join Date: May 2010
Location: Chester Vt
Posts: 8,842
Default Re: 8BA Timing Gears, Any brand better than the others?

I know of some aftermatket units have been marked wrong. So just check them aginst the originals. I only use alum gears. I just don't trust the fiber ones.
Ol' Ron is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 02-06-2019, 10:56 PM   #11
Scotty's 52 F3
Senior Member
 
Scotty's 52 F3's Avatar
 
Join Date: Dec 2015
Location: Marana, AZ.
Posts: 404
Default Re: 8BA Timing Gears, Any brand better than the others?

I just emailed Summit Racing to see if they will tell me where they're made. All those I listed except Offenhauser are the same part numbers. I wonder who actually makes them.

Last edited by Scotty's 52 F3; 02-07-2019 at 10:17 AM.
Scotty's 52 F3 is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 02-07-2019, 09:45 AM   #12
rotorwrench
Senior Member
 
rotorwrench's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jun 2010
Location: San Antonio, Texas
Posts: 16,371
Default Re: 8BA Timing Gears, Any brand better than the others?

The bakelite/fiberglass laminated gears are OK for stock engine overhaul replacements. The aluminum gears would be better for a motor with modifications. The modern reproductions likely come from two or three sources now days. I haven't seen any with the multiple bolt holes for timing alteration like they used to have in the speed parts catalogs back in the day.
rotorwrench is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 02-07-2019, 02:46 PM   #13
mfirth
Senior Member
 
Join Date: Aug 2017
Location: ohio
Posts: 986
Default Re: 8BA Timing Gears, Any brand better than the others?

What Ron says is true, got a new Mellings last year for my 8ba, it was marked wrong.
mfirth is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 02-07-2019, 04:24 PM   #14
Ross F-1
Senior Member
 
Ross F-1's Avatar
 
Join Date: Nov 2010
Location: NM
Posts: 2,438
Default Re: 8BA Timing Gears, Any brand better than the others?

Quote:
Originally Posted by rotorwrench View Post
The bakelite/fiberglass laminated gears are OK for stock engine overhaul replacements....
I really, really doubt anyone is still making the fiber gears, whatever is out there is likely 50 yrs old if a day. I wouldn't trust them.
__________________
'52 F-1, EAB flathead
Ross F-1 is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 02-07-2019, 04:47 PM   #15
Scotty's 52 F3
Senior Member
 
Scotty's 52 F3's Avatar
 
Join Date: Dec 2015
Location: Marana, AZ.
Posts: 404
Default Re: 8BA Timing Gears, Any brand better than the others?

I appreciate all the feedback. I am definitely going to run an aluminum gear. I'm just trying to avoid any Chinese copies. Even known American brands are often now produced in China. I was hoping someone knew for sure what the good ones are.

If I get a response from Summit, I will let you all know. Thanks again.
Scotty's 52 F3 is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 02-07-2019, 05:50 PM   #16
barnfind08
Senior Member
 
Join Date: May 2010
Posts: 893
Default Re: 8BA Timing Gears, Any brand better than the others?

I have ford mfg aluminum gears both 8BA and 91A-6256
barnfind08 is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 02-07-2019, 07:14 PM   #17
tubman
Senior Member
 
tubman's Avatar
 
Join Date: Dec 2013
Location: Minnesota, Florida Keys
Posts: 10,260
Default Re: 8BA Timing Gears, Any brand better than the others?

The last two engines I have done, both had aluminum timing gears. The first was a $15 purchase from eBay, the second was from Speedway motors. So far, so good. Both engines run fine, and I am not able to hear them.
tubman is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 02-07-2019, 07:22 PM   #18
JSeery
Member Emeritus
 
JSeery's Avatar
 
Join Date: Nov 2012
Location: Wichita KS
Posts: 16,132
Default Re: 8BA Timing Gears, Any brand better than the others?

Quote:
Originally Posted by barnfind08 View Post
I have ford mfg aluminum gears both 8BA and 91A-6256
My recommendation would be barnfind08.
JSeery is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 02-07-2019, 07:52 PM   #19
Scotty's 52 F3
Senior Member
 
Scotty's 52 F3's Avatar
 
Join Date: Dec 2015
Location: Marana, AZ.
Posts: 404
Default Re: 8BA Timing Gears, Any brand better than the others?

PM sent to barn find and South Side Obsolete looks promising. Thanks everybody!
Scotty's 52 F3 is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 02-08-2019, 11:20 PM   #20
Scotty's 52 F3
Senior Member
 
Scotty's 52 F3's Avatar
 
Join Date: Dec 2015
Location: Marana, AZ.
Posts: 404
Default Re: 8BA Timing Gears, Any brand better than the others?

Just an update. Summit Racing replied and said that all the gears I mentioned were Made in U.S.A. BUT......that can change at anytime without notice.

Also said that it's more than likely one manufacturer would make and rebrand. BUT.....they can't give a definitive answer because manufacturers don't disclose that with them.

I'm not going to assume or guess where they're made so I am ordering my timing gears from Fred @ South Side Obsolete.

Thanks for the advice.
Scotty's 52 F3 is offline   Reply With Quote
Reply

Thread Tools
Display Modes

Posting Rules
You may not post new threads
You may not post replies
You may not post attachments
You may not edit your posts

BB code is On
Smilies are On
[IMG] code is On
HTML code is Off

Forum Jump

Sponsored Links (Register now to hide all advertisements)


All times are GMT -5. The time now is 01:20 AM.