Can cam gears be noisy?

[Mart]

Has anyone experienced noisy cam gears? Steel crank gear/Aluminium cam gear, 59A style, thrusting towards the block.

Fresh build.

I have a noise like a whirring noise. It isn't the generator or water pumps as it is the same with the belt off. Has anyone experienced noisy cam gears?

I can't think of anything that would make a whirring noise. Probing around the motor with a listening stick has so far failed to pinpoint the source.

Any ideas?

Mart.

[tubman]

All I can tell you is that I installed aluminum cam gears in my last two builds. I can't hear them (much to my chagrin).

[drolston]

Could the throw-out bearing be skimming a clutch finger?
Anything suspicious at the back of the cam, like oil pump or drive gear?

[alanwoodieman]

what distributor? new cam gears are sort of quiet, but I have a helmut distributor that has the wiiring sound

[cadillac512]

Mart, when I built the 260" Merc engine for my '41 I used 59A style gears, new steel on crank and new aluminum on the cam. It did same as you are hearing...especially when the engine was cold. Lessened as it warmed up, but was there for almost 6000 miles before it became completely quiet. Thrust was correct, gear mesh correct, everything in order. It had to be the gears bedding together as the cam gear matched the crank gear as it slowly bedded in.



Terry

[flat 39]

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My 8BA has what I think is cam gear noise. It started making noise with about 40,000 miles on the engine. it makes noise between 1700-2500 RPM under light load. noise goes away when letting off the throttle.

[Bored&Stroked]

In my case, I'll probably never know . . . engine/exhaust is too loud to hear them. LOL

[Adam/Mill Valley CA]

Mart, I had that from the helmet distributor some years ago on my '36, from the vacuum brake, when the worn leather tip got dislodged. Took out the vacuum brake piston and it disappeared. I'm not sure if a crab distributor uses the same system.


Adam

[Bill OH]

I had the same noise that Cadillac512 described and it went away after break-in. I also returned the oil filter to the top of the timing cover by tapping it 1/8th NPT.

[Mart]

Thanks for the input, fellas.
Based on Cadillac512's reply and my own gut instinct I changed the cam gear today. It quitened right down.
So thanks very much. I can confirm that cam gears can generate a whine.
I pulled two motors and I can imagine two scenarios.
1, I fitted the gear from the other motor and if I refit it to it's original motor it might be quiet.
2, I did fit the gear from this motor but it must have been noisy before.

So I don't know which is correct but I am happy that the motor runs ok now.

Quite the learning experience.

Thanks again all.

Mart.

[deuce5wndw]

Do we get to see the video?

[mfirth]

X 2 on seeing a vid.

[Pete]

I haven't heard mention of anyone checking cam gear lash.
Over and under size cam drive gears are available for adjustment.
A block that has been align bored and had a standard gear installed will almost certainly have gear noise.

[Mart]

A video will follow but not for a while. I have some catching up to do.

[cadillac512]

Originally Posted by Pete

I haven't heard mention of anyone checking cam gear lash.
Over and under size cam drive gears are available for adjustment.
A block that has been align bored and had a standard gear installed will almost certainly have gear noise.

Hi, Pete
In my case the backlash was .004" with the new gears. Within .001" all the way 'round so I ran it but the noise was there and took that 6000 miles to go away. The odd thing to me was the loudest time was with a cold engine-as it warmed to operating temp the noise lowered to about 50% of when it was cold. One would think the aluminum gear would grow when hot, decrease clearance and get louder, especially as oil thinned. The noise was an unmistakable gear whine. After 9 months and 6K miles it was gone and now at 12K miles it's still nice and quiet.


Well done, Mart...glad she's sorted!