I think I have an idea of where this could go but......
Its already in the engine, Im just picking up the car, and its got a 420 hp Edelbrock top end in it with Lunati crank and pistons. Around 500 miles on them and I plan to go to a double roller chain, but that wont be for awhile.
Do you guys see any issues with driving it daily for awhile like this? Im talking 15 miles each way to work
I wont hurt anything but it's going to be like riding around town with your wife nagging in your ear the whole time. I had one on my old 64 pickup and you could hear it over the cherry bombs.
I think a gear drive sounds cool when one cruises by you on the road, so I put one in my 355 when I had it built. Major mistake. I couldn't even enjoy the sound of the engine for the noise the gear drive made. A round trip to Indy (about 80 miles each way) had me ready to climb a wall by the time I got home. I now have a slightly used Pete Jackson gear drive sitting in a box in the garage now and a much more mellow sounding hot rod. You may wind up liking it... as for me...not so much.
Some gear drives can be near silent when set up properly. Since it's already in there just tdrive it for a while and see what you think. One of the other drawbacks is they can play hell with knock sensors.
Replace it when you can Adam. Two guys I know had them come apart and do some pretty good damage, besides the annoying howl they are not trust worthy in my book!!!:no:
The sound levels can vary depending on the manufacturer & whether they are the regular, or the "noisy" version. I personally don't like them for a daily driver due to noise and reliability, and would prefer a belt drive for race application.
I wondered what's the difference between the "quiet" and the noisy gear drives; do they make helical cut drives or only straight cut ? Some Honda motorcycles had split gears that were spring loaded to remove slop and make their cam drives quiet. Maybe there's a market...
i have used a couple over the years. i only use pete jackson gd.. the last one i used was on a 468 in my 4x4 and it was the quite gd. it didn't make a loud noise but it had a growl to it..
My .02 worth, is I'd replace it with a double roller type as it's just to cheap and easy to do. And, have peace of mind and still hear when you get to where you are going. :yes:
Most of these comments of people who know people who had one ....:bored::turn:
I've had one on my car for 3 years - its a Cloyes and I dont even notice it.
It's different and makes your car slightly more unique - there's no reason for you to take it off and spend the time and money unless you want to join the rest of the sheep
You are right but I was with my buddy at his dyno session when his cam apart! Want to talk about carnage, try having one come apart at full song, not pretty!!!:no: I would never risk one for a little sound that is quite annoying!!!!:yes:
as Walt stated. But, are there any difference to worry about with small blocks? Should they all be the same as far as the block is concerned? Im also seeing some sold with different types of sprocket material (billet, steel, etc) and then others with adjustable sprockets. I just need daily driver reliability.
as Walt stated. But, are there any difference to worry about with small blocks? Should they all be the same as far as the block is concerned? Im also seeing some sold with different types of sprocket material (billet, steel, etc) and then others with adjustable sprockets. I just need daily driver reliability.
Years ago I built a 454 for my 4X4 Chevy Blazer and went with a gear drive. At first I really liked the cool sound but it soon became a bad nightmare as a daily driver. So I changed it out and the truck was much better to drive.
Thanks Eddie. I had looked at that one, but with all the others that were as much as exceeding $100, I wanted to make sure I'd be good with those cheaper ones
Just to stir the pot....has no one ever heard of timing chain failure/breakage?
I had a gear drive(edelbrock accu-drive)on my Nova when I bought it and kept for 8 years and did not mind it and fairly quiet. I did change to a double roller when I upgraded the whole top end. I think for a daily driver it's totally up to you:yes: Just my $0.02 worth
To answer the original question... It took a month but the gear drive whine has finally bugged the heck out of me. I just ordered a timing chain. :yes:
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