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  •  » Pertronix distributor gear. Cast or steel?

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    6/04/2015 10:01 PM  #1

    whlnut
    I FYI 24-7

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    From: Brunswick, GA
    Registered: 4/02/2013
    Posts: 317

    Pertronix distributor gear. Cast or steel?

    5.0 with Comp roller cam. Pertronix flame thrower III billet dist.
    Paperwork with the distributor says it comes with a "hardened steel gear".
    Article in the Aug 2009 Mustang Monthly of pertronix install of same dist., but with Ignitor II module, states "comes with a drive gear designed for a flat-tappet cam". My gear is black, same as the one in article pics. How can I tell for sure if it's steel? Pertronix doesn't show one available on it's web site.

     

    6/05/2015 8:17 AM  #2

    jkordzi
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    From: Sequim, WA
    Registered: 12/28/2013
    Posts: 927

    Re: Pertronix distributor gear. Cast or steel?

    A steel gear is fully machined with no rough areas from the casting process, while a cast gear is only partially machined.  Post a picture and folks will likely let you know.  Alternatively you could call the company.

    Cheap, Fast, Good:  Pick Any Two
     

    6/05/2015 11:18 AM  #3

    Bullet Bob
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    From: Montrose, Colorado
    Registered: 4/01/2013
    Posts: 4,938

    Re: Pertronix distributor gear. Cast or steel?

    whlnut wrote:

    5.0 with Comp roller cam. Pertronix flame thrower III billet dist.
    Paperwork with the distributor says it comes with a "hardened steel gear".
    Article in the Aug 2009 Mustang Monthly of pertronix install of same dist., but with Ignitor II module, states "comes with a drive gear designed for a flat-tappet cam". My gear is black, same as the one in article pics. How can I tell for sure if it's steel? Pertronix doesn't show one available on it's web site.

    As I recall...just did this, but I'm old, you know...for a roller cam you want the steel gear.  Comp can confirm that with a phone call.  As for which is on the distribtor, why not call Pertronix and verify just what is on the dizzy...or, buy a new gear and install it so you'll be positive you got the right thing...it is important.

    BB

    "you get what you pay for, good work isn't cheap, and there are NO free lunches...PERIOD!"
     

    6/05/2015 4:08 PM  #4

    6sally6
    Hyper FYIFORD ADDICT

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    From: Surfside Beach,SC
    Registered: 4/02/2013
    Posts: 6,973

    Re: Pertronix distributor gear. Cast or steel?

    Looking close...........the cast has little bumps on it whereas the steel is smooth. Butt......I understand..."if you don't have both kind to compare...its hard to tell whatcha got". Bulletbob sez "jus buy the right one"...me too..........then yule nose....or call.
    6s6

    Get busy Liv'in or get busy Die'n....Host of the 2020 Bash at the Beach/The only Bash that got cancelled  )8
     

    6/05/2015 5:49 PM  #5

    jerseyjoe
    I FYI 24-7

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    Registered: 4/01/2013
    Posts: 789

    Re: Pertronix distributor gear. Cast or steel?

    Comp told me to use a bronze gear with my latest billet roller cam I purchased from them...but it may only last 10K miles... buy a Steel gear and forget about it.....jj

    "Never put a question mark where God put a period "  Richard Petty
     

    6/05/2015 6:42 PM  #6

    whlnut
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    From: Brunswick, GA
    Registered: 4/02/2013
    Posts: 317

    Re: Pertronix distributor gear. Cast or steel?

    My thought too was just throw a $75 steel gear on it to be sure, but pertronix does not offer a steel gear, only bronze. Summit, Jegs and others do not offer a pertronix steel gear, only bronze. Its a roller cam, but not billet. I would have to buy an MSD steel gear and hope it might fit ok. Summit lists the flamethrower II and III gear as cast iron. Jegs lists them as steel. The internet is full of conflicting info on this.
    I was hoping to hear from a member who has used this distributor in a small block with a roller cam. Thanks for the replies.

       •Thread Starter
     

    6/05/2015 6:55 PM  #7

    jerseyjoe
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    Registered: 4/01/2013
    Posts: 789

    Re: Pertronix distributor gear. Cast or steel?

    whlnut wrote:

    My thought too was just throw a $75 steel gear on it to be sure, but pertronix does not offer a steel gear, only bronze. Summit, Jegs and others do not offer a pertronix steel gear, only bronze. Its a roller cam, but not billet. I would have to buy an MSD steel gear and hope it might fit ok. Summit lists the flamethrower II and III gear as cast iron. Jegs lists them as steel. The internet is full of conflicting info on this.
    I was hoping to hear from a member who has used this distributor in a small block with a roller cam. Thanks for the replies.

    Call Ford Racing monday....jj

    "Never put a question mark where God put a period "  Richard Petty
     

    6/05/2015 9:51 PM  #8

    nascardave
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    Registered: 6/10/2013
    Posts: 16

    Re: Pertronix distributor gear. Cast or steel?

    Hi Guys,  I have done a couple of 5.0 conversions and I used a destributer gear made by Mallory Ignition. They are sold by summit racing, and they sell for around $39.  Keep in mind that there are 2 different destributor shafts.  The first one is 467 thousands and the part # MAA 29418 PD  The 2nd  one  is 531 thousands and the part# MAA29421 PD  (the PD stands for pre drilled) If you want to drill your own  gear drop PD from the number.  These are the least expensive steel destributor gears I have found for Ford roller motors.  Dave

     

    6/06/2015 4:30 PM  #9

    Rudi
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    From: Stuck in the 50's Welland Ca
    Registered: 4/01/2013
    Posts: 4,069

    Re: Pertronix distributor gear. Cast or steel?

    Brass and polymer gears scare me!

    Good work ain't cheap, Cheap work ain't good!   Simple Man
     

     

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