Need Some Help guys - Please "Oil pump drive gear"

[The Satellite Cometh]

Hey guys,

I was in the midst of doing my timing this weekend and it was varying at partial throttle about 5 to 7 degrees. I get some ping at WOT on the highway and decided to check the timing. We took the distributor off and saw some play in there which was attributed to the oil pump drive gear at the bottom of the distributor. The distributor is new rebuilt and is not the problem. My mechanic is very sure that it is the oil pump drive gear. In fact, he even gave me a part number of #1739604 out of a VERY old manual he had in the shop.

I have searched around and see that Milodon sells a brass one for a ton of money (over $130) and before I sheel out that kind of money, I was wondering if anyone could point me in the right direction?

The motor is a 1969 hi-po 440ci with a stock replacement distributor and Mopar purple shaft .509 lift cam.

Any help or advice would be GREATLY appreciated. I can't seem to track this little bugger down.

Don:iamwithstupid:

 

[fugly]

you do not want a brass ( actually bronze) gear -those are for roller cams- what you want is a normal like this one: http://www.summitracing.com/parts/DCC-3571071/

 

[lewtot184]

cast iron intermediate shaft gear for cast iron camshafts. bronze gear for billet (roller tappet) cams; like fugly stated. also check the bushing for wear thats pressed into the block that the shaft rides on. check for a loose chain too.

 

[kidmopar]

it sounds like a loose timimg chain most likely or the advance plate in dist. is loose.. i had a rebuilt one that was stuck ansd another that was real loose

 

[lewtot184]

i've had this happen in one engine that had a timing chain problem and another where the bronze gear wore out in a roller tappet engine. i've never seen an iron gear wear out but i guess its possible,

 

[Meep-Meep]

If the teeth on the drive gear are in tact and not halfway shaved off then I'd say you don't have an issue with the drive gear. The bushing in the block is never really that tight of a fit either. My guess is your problem is in another area like the timing chain or breaker plate as suggested. Or perhaps your advance weights are too loose. Does the timing vary the same amount with the vac advance connected?

 

[The Satellite Cometh]

Guys,

All good points. looks like I am going to have to dig a bit deeper on this issue. The bushing may be worn out too. I would think that if an experienced mechanic looked at it that the timing chain would not be loose, but you never know.

thanks for the help and guidance.

Don

 

[Cranky]

Pull the gear out and inspect it but you can also get a good look at it with a good light while it's still in place. With the distributor out, you can check it for side play. Even a brand new chain will stretch a bit after some run time. What's the stats on this engine and what kind of vacuum is it pulling at idle? There's lots of things that can make your timing vary....

 

[The Satellite Cometh]

Cranky,

Thanks as always. i just spoke to my mechanic and he said based on what he saw with the distributor, that he is 95% sure that it is the drive gear. Guy is 59 years old and has worked on a number of my family's cars.

The link to the drive gear by Summit was helpful, and in fact, I was able to also locate one on 440source.com that is considerably cheaper.

Don

 

[The Satellite Cometh]

Whats your guys takes on 440source.com parts anyway? Hearing China thrown around alot...

 

[bigmanjbmopar]

Yeah China a lot, lol However they have a lot of made in the USA stuff as well. They are usually good for the price, I have purchased intermediate shaft from them and a bronze one as well both were fine and built in the USA at least so they say.