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Posted By Discussion Topic: Correct 37 Ford timing gear     JM 08-09-2011 @ 7:08 PM reply profile send p.m. Senior Posts: 822 Joined: Oct 2009 When I had my '35 21 stud engine rebuilt they used some off brand press on fiber timing gear that was probably foreign made. It lasted about 1000 miles before the teeth wore down to the point that several stripped and my engine stopped running just like I turned the ignition switch off. Everyone told me that replacing a pressed on timing gear without removing the cam was nearly impossible. The last thing I wanted to do was go through all the work of removing the cam to press on a new timing gear. I gave this some serious thought and finally decided to make the necessary tooling and devise a procedure to remove the failed gear and press on a new aluminum gear without removing the cam. It was a little tricky to press the new gear in place while linning up timing marks on cam hub and timming gear ID and timing gear tooth mark with crank gear mark. It took several tries to get it right but I did it and the engine has been running well for the last 6k miles. To me the aluminum gear is not making any more noticeable noise than the fiber gear made. JM This message was edited by JM on 8-9-11 @ 7:38 PM supereal 08-09-2011 @ 6:30 PM reply profile send p.m. Senior Posts: 6819 Joined: Oct 2009 It was my magic fingers that added the "s"to gear, but do be sure to carefully inspect the crankshaft timing gear, anyway. A crank gear can contribute to, or cause the camshaft timing gear to fail. It can be excess wear or a chipped tooth. As for pressing on a new gear, if the gear is off as little as 1/64 inch, the timing will be affected. It is extremely difficult to install it with the camshaft in the engine. It requires diligence to do it in the press. doning 08-09-2011 @ 4:41 PM reply profile send p.m. New Member Posts: 158 Joined: Nov 2009 I don't know if this helps but I had a pressed gear on my un-touched original '37 fordor. Like supereal says, just make sure that you match the marks on the cam with the fiber gear when you reassemble. It's not so hard putting the gear on. My dad and I did it in his basement. Let us know how you make out. 37RAGTOPMAN 08-09-2011 @ 4:41 PM reply profile send p.m. Senior Posts: 1958 Joined: Oct 2009 do yourself a favor, go for a bolt on gear, with the pressed on one, you have to remove the heads,intake. then all the valves and lifters, then pull the camshaft,did I mention you will also have to remove the radiator, and also the grill, if the pressed on gear ever goes, this is a VERY major job, my 3 cents of advice 37RAGTOPMAN rlh37ford 08-09-2011 @ 4:23 PM reply profile send p.m. Member Posts: 28 Joined: Oct 2009 Supereal: I understand your comment regarding the introduction of the bolt-on timing gear in 1940 and the probable replacement of pressed gears with bolt on gears when engines were swapped (later blocks with later cams). If it turns out that my engine is original to the car which had 85K mi. when I bought it in 65 (& about 200 mi. since), it seems likely to me that the engine has the pressed gear. Make sense? Also, when you write “pull the camshaft and have the gears changed, what do you mean by “gears” plural? BTW, I’ll have this done with the engine out of the car. supereal 08-09-2011 @ 1:57 PM reply profile send p.m. Senior Posts: 6819 Joined: Oct 2009 You won't know which type you have until you remove the timing gear cover. While the press on type was replaced by the bolt on kind beginning in 1940, I'd bet the chances are you will have a bolt on type, as most of the press on gears were replaced over the years when engines were swapped. If so, you just unbolt the gear and put on a new one. The bolt holes are staggered to help you get it in the right position. Just be sure you get the marked teeth together. If you have the pressed gear, and the engine apart, pull the camshaft and have the gears changed. I've never replaced one of those with the engine in place, but I've heard others have. They must be exactly matched with the index mark on the camshaft to be correct, usually in an arbor press. I prefer the fiber gears, as they seem to be quieter. but aluminum is available, as well, but are a bit more expensive. This message was edited by supereal on 8-9-11 @ 2:56 PM rlh37ford 08-09-2011 @ 11:29 AM reply profile send p.m. Member Posts: 28 Joined: Oct 2009 The 28-37 Ford parts book lists numerous timing gears that apply to 37 (85 HP) with various oversizes. Some are pressed on while others are bolt on. My engine hasn’t been torn down yet for rebuild. But I’ve been buying some engine components when I find them (like valves, guides, etc) in advance of tear-down. What are the chances of my late 37 having a pressed vs. bolted timing gear? I.E. what are my chances of getting the correct timing gear (pressed or bolt on) without pulling the front of the engine apart first?

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