Gear drives

[dliving69]

What is the pros and cons of gear drives?
Posted via Mobile Device

[1970ChevyChamp]

I'm definitely interested to hear what people have to say on this topic.
Posted via Mobile Device

[70-Shorty]

pro: NOISE con: NOISE

they kinda ran their course...IMO
+there are more efficient ways to drive cams.
Tim

[dliving69]

Well what Ive heard and seen that jegs has quiter ones..but who knows how much quiter. I heard one the other day. sounded like a turbo whinding up. Any better way instead of gear drive where I can just put it on my engine and go.

[1970ChevyChamp]

Originally Posted by 70-Shorty

pro: NOISE con: NOISE

they kinda ran their course...IMO
+there are more efficient ways to drive cams.
Tim

That's what I hear to. Some people love the noise it makes, while others think it is just annoying. Personally I like it.

[dliving69]

so other then the noise. Do these add any power to an engine or what?

[hugger6933]

It elinates or reduces the cam timing flucuation. The camwill stay timied where it is put .They are loud the quieter ones have the angle of the teeth cut a little different to lessen the noise. The loud ones that are advertised are that . The beifits of a cam geardrive are minimal at best imo. Unless you were building a all out race motor, but then I would say belt drive and they are $$$. IMO the regular timing set from a reputable maker would more than suffice in all but the most extreme cases.

[dliving69]

any good ideas of anything i should put in my 78 305 then? if gear drives arnt the way to go

[1968SWBBigBlock]

Cloyes or comp cams both make very nice double roller sets

[70-Shorty]

Originally Posted by 1970ChevyChamp

That's what I hear to. Some people love the noise it makes, while others think it is just annoying. Personally I like it.

They are great for driving around the fairgrounds making people wonder if you have a supercharger under the hood. For a daily driver the noise is annoying long term after the newness wears off. You want to hear your tunes or the whine of your gears? As the previous poster suggested for most applications a standard double roller gear and chain sets. If you are doing major mods a Jesel belt drive is killer but a ton of money.
IMO your better off NOT.
Tim

[69sixpackbee]

Belt drive setups with indexable cam sprocket.
How much $$ do you want to spend???

[dliving69]

Originally Posted by 1968SWBBigBlock

Cloyes or comp cams both make very nice double roller sets

Can these be direct replacement from stock or do I need to change anything to make a double roller set fit? Thanks for the help everyone!

[57larry]

I have one on my street rod with a SBC. I had it about 8yrs now, it's the quiet one, has a small whine which I like and it really stays in time. There are 3 and 4 gear type. I bought mine for $99 from a machine shop

[GASoline71]

Meh... a lot of cats used 'em in the 70's and 80's to reproduce the "blower whine".

If ya want blower whine... use a blower.

I'm sure they are good at keeping timing. But I can't stand the noise they make. Even the "quiet" ones. You can't beat a good quality double roller timing chain set. Way cheaper too.

Gary

[bluex]

I bought mine used for $30 from a friend while I was building my engine. I figured why not since I needed a timing set anyways. I HATE IT!!! Its a pete jackson, not sure on the noisy or quiet version but I dont think it matters much. It was cool for about 2 days....

Here is a video I made the other day. I was trying to get more exhaust sound for someone wondering about the summit turbo mufflers but you cant hear much during the drive but the gear drive whine. Other people think its cool, but its honestly annoying going anywhere further than 10 mins away....

[dliving69]

Originally Posted by 57larry

I have one on my street rod with a SBC. I had it about 8yrs now, it's the quiet one, has a small whine which I like and it really stays in time. There are 3 and 4 gear type. I bought mine for $99 from a machine shop

so you have had a gear drive..and its not too loud? but I do want to hear my tunes. So im lookin at any options right now

[dliving69]

Well thanks everyone now that Ive seen that video..I will stick with getting a double roller. now question is..is it easy to take the stock out and add the double roller..what needs to be done.. and also suggestion on some good ones to look at. FYI i have a 78 305

[prostreetC-10]

......and here's what a quality drive sounds like. Not for everyone and certainly not what you do for performance reasons but they do have there place. I wouldn't want one in my Camaro or my fastback but it does work in my truck. Sorry for the squeeky clutch arm. I realize I keep posting this video but people keep asking about gear drives!!!!! It's also a nice little display of going sideways on a very narrow road (that's why I had to back out of it).

It's also a nice display of how those always pesky, out of tune Holleys can work beautifully in pairs!!!! YOU NEED TO CRANK YOUR PC'S VOLUME TO GET THE FULLY EFFECT. SOUND LEVEL IS A LITTLE DOWN.[IMG][/IMG]

[hjewell2]

Originally Posted by dliving69

What is the pros and cons of gear drives?
Posted via Mobile Device

Pro's--none Con's-- very bad harmonics on the cam transfered from the crank at High RPM Hence the reason for belt drive for us racers. Use a cloyes Chain and you will be happy along with your motor.

[dliving69]

Originally Posted by hjewell2

Pro's--none Con's-- very bad harmonics on the cam transfered from the crank at High RPM Hence the reason for belt drive for us racers. Use a cloyes Chain and you will be happy along with your motor.

When adding a double roller can it be done direct fit?

[webfoot]

Double roller timing set will fit with no mods.

[dliving69]

Originally Posted by webfoot

Double roller timing set will fit with no mods.

Thank you. Now is this a difficult thing to do? can it all be done at home..or do I need to pull the engine for that kind of thing. im new to all of this..just bought my first chevy not too many monthes ago

[webfoot]

If your motor is tired enough that you want to replace the timing set, probably not a bad idea to pull the motor and take care of a few other things now too.

[Bert W]

To answer your last question. Yes, you can do it at home and you do not have to pull the engine. As others have said, if the timing set is worn out it may be time for a cam and rings etc.

[bluex]

Originally Posted by prostreetC-10

......and here's what a quality drive sounds like. Not for everyone and certainly not what you do for performance reasons but they do have there place. I wouldn't want one in my Camaro or my fastback but it does work in my truck. Sorry for the squeeky clutch arm. I realize I keep posting this video but people keep asking about gear drives!!!!! It's also a nice little display of going sideways on a very narrow road (that's why I had to back out of it).

It's also a nice display of how those always pesky, out of tune Holleys can work beautifully in pairs!!!! YOU NEED TO CRANK YOUR PC'S VOLUME TO GET THE FULLY EFFECT. SOUND LEVEL IS A LITTLE DOWN.

Mine is a pete jackson, didnt think they got much better than that.

I probably should have mentioned I took that video with my phone, and my truck has absolutely no insulation or sound deading at all which Im sure dosent help.