The Stovebolt Site Forums The Shop Area Engine Shop timing gears

getting ready to pull the 216 and have the timing gear replaced, as well as an overall engine inspection, rebuild. it's been sitting too long and i am tired of the truck sitting around and just want it running and on the road again.

my question is the original camshaft gear was a fiber unit. should i replace it with the same type of gear or look for the aluminum version? is one better than the other? any advantages/disadvantages to either one?

any and all comments welcomed.

The fiber gear was supposedly quieter than the metal gear used on trucks. The metal gear is supposedly stronger.

In the GM shop manual, it describes the aluminum gear as something on the heay duty engines that will last longer. I put a new fiber gear on mine and a new steel gear on the crank.

I've got 60 years and 62,499miles on the fiber gear in my 216, Looks like news, absolutely no sign of wear on it. Might even put it back in during the rebuild. Fiber quiet, alum noisy! Why would you need a heavy-duty cam gear in you 216????
http://www.pbase.com/dennygraham/under_hood&page=11
Denny Graham
Sandwich, IL

I put a new one in mine because years ago I had one go in a 235 while driving. Nothing got destroyed but it wasn't a great experience. I don't know what the failure mechanism is but they just decide to shred at some point and you are left sitting at the side of the road.

denny,

i am not looking for the "heavy duty" aspect for the rebuild. i was just curious if there was any advantage to switching to the aluminum while the engine was apart.

you know my truck and the history. had the pleasure of watching it turn over the 100,000 mile mark with my mom (the daughter of the original owner) sitting on the passenger side.

i have absolutely no problem with the 216 or the power it produces and just like you, i am going to keep this truck original (to a fault), including retaining the babbit bearings if they are still in good condition.

patrick's recommended bob bailey in mesa, az, and as it turns out, he is about 10 minutes from my house.

a very good, retired motorcycle mechanic friend of mine has had several engines rebuilt by bob and has been very happy with the results. after meeting bob last weekend, i think he is the guy to handle the rebuild. old, cranky, and has forgotten more than i will ever remember...just need to find a way to pay for the repairs.

truckernix,

thanks for your reply. my experience sounds similar to yours. the truck hummed along for me on a daily basis and then one day...

makes ya want to puke when it happens.

i love this truck and it will be back on the road. even if i have to sell my soul to the devil.

Just sell an airplane to pay for the engine rebuild p.j.
That's what I just did with mine. I just sold a two place 1948 Piper two place fuselage complete ready for cover with all the controls, landing gear, brakes, tail feathers, whole kit and kabutal for enough to rebuild my 216. I mean I only had about 2000 hours of labor in building the plane. Boy, was that the wrong hobby to get into. Now all I have to do is sell the Pitts Special and maybe I'll have enough to finish up the body work!
Denny Graham
Sandwich, IL

i'm considering selling my ducati f1b. pretty much on par with your piper as far as hours spent on it. still hate to part with it but it will fund the engine rebuild for truck and then some.

haven't been on the site too much lately. how's your project coming along denny?