How to find the right Automotive Replacement Distributor Gears AI guide
Written by an AI model from its trained knowledge.
What the AI looks for in Automotive Replacement Distributor Gears
- Gear material versus camshaft
- Use the gear material the camshaft maker specifies. Cast-iron cams typically take cast-iron gears, while billet steel roller cams take bronze, composite or specified steel gears. A mismatched gear chews up the cam gear and can destroy the camshaft.
- Shaft diameter and pin location
- Measure the shaft diameter and the pin-hole position, and buy a gear made for them. Drill it only if the gear is sold undrilled. Aftermarket distributor shafts vary in size, and a wrong pin location sets the timing off.
- Gear position and mesh
- Set end play and gear engagement height as the distributor maker specifies, using shims where needed. Poor mesh causes rapid wear and timing scatter.
- Wear inspection
- Inspect soft gears such as bronze regularly and check the oil filter for debris. These gears are sacrificial by design and wear out.
Brands that matter
- COMP Cams: Offers distributor gears in several materials for popular engines.
- MSD: Gears for its own distributors and common engines.
- Mallory: Gears for its performance distributors.
What to avoid
- Installing a cast-iron gear on a billet steel roller cam.
- Reusing an old pin or roll pin with a new gear.
Questions
Why does my new cam need a different distributor gear?
Many aftermarket roller cams are made of material that isn't compatible with the stock gear, so check the cam card or the cam maker's recommendation.