Timing Chain or Gear Drive

[Brett James-McCall]

The subject says it all. I would liek to hear peoples' opinions on whether to run a timing chain or something like a Pete Jackson Gear Drive. Thanks

Brett

 

[Jac Mac]

I have used both, would use a chain setup myself if I had to make a choice, and at a guess I probably built about 20 or thirty chain type motors to every gear setup, but its not really that simple as the intended use plus cam/valvetrain are factors as well.

Tell you what though, if your using the dual idler type and have a valve spring break it serves as an early warning device at idle speed as each time it strikes the 'soft' spring it flops the idler back & forth, sounds like the whole deal is about to crap itself-which is about correct!!

Most people buy them for the wrong reason-eg they want the gear drive sound.

 

[Randy V]

I've given up on the gear drive systems.. When they first came out they were really good and had close tolerances - although loud. The last one I installed was supposed to have been the "quiet" version - it screamed so loudly it was painful. Not to mention that it had 6 degrees of slop in it.. If I do anything other than chain/sprocket drive it would be to the Jesel Belt system.

 

[chuck smith]

chain. I had a gear drive in my first cobra with a 351 cleveland. I hated it, the noise was terrible and apparently they can set up harmful harmonics.

 

[Bill D]

I had a gear drive in a 460. WAY to loud. I replaced it with a double roller chain

 

[Ian K]

I asked Gordon Levy about this a long time ago.

His answer was along the lines of there is a reason NASCAR does not
use gear drives.

Ian

 

[Ron Earp]

Not to mention that it had 6 degrees of slop in it.. I

Wouldn't mind getting 6 degrees of slop in my race car timing to retard it about that much while running but appear correctly timed if inspected.....

 

[Jack Dunn]

I had a 572" BBC built a few years ago. On the dyno, the Jackson gear drive let the timing jump around uncontrollably-a good timing chain setup solved the problem.
Jack

 

[speed220mph]

Use a chain, specifically Ford Racing's Morse-type Hy-Vo chain. Another one to consider is Jesel's HTD belt drive.

 

[Jac Mac]

Wouldn't mind getting 6 degrees of slop in my race car timing to retard it about that much while running but appear correctly timed if inspected.....

Ron, you need to use your race car as your daily driver-eventually you will get the retard you need

 

[Nick]

Oh dear, wish this thread had started before I fitted my Cloyes timing gear set up with idler. Of course I chose mine for the right reasons, it looked beautiful, they said it will sound like a blower was fitted, and it was labelled quiet.

Before I ditch it and fit a double chain is anyone out there going to defend this setup, if it makes any difference it will be for a road car..

Nick

 

[Ron Earp]

No.

They are loud as hell in a front engine race car with open exhaust, can't imagine what it'll be like in a mid-engine car with the gear about six inches from your ear.

Jac Mac, might have to re-use the gear and chain out of the 180k street motor I pulled. That might do the trick.

 

[chuck smith]

Nick, I would change it now. When I put mine in the noise was so crappy I wanted to pull the motor and change it out right away. It does not really sound like any blower I have ever heard.

 

[David Briggs]

Gear drive is a poor choice for many reasons, I installed a Danny Bee belt drive set up on mine, It works as advertized but I had some difficulty in getting it to stop leaking oil.
Also the timing cover Danney Bee used to design the system came from a mid 80's 302 that was only used for a short time and your choice of water pumps is very limited.
If I had it to do over I would run a double roller chain, it costs 1/10 of the belt drive and I have never had a problem with the double roller.
Dave