Aftermarket Aluminum FE Blocks

[Jamo]

Originally Posted by RodKnock

Here's a dumb somewhat related question. Won't the bronze distributor gear for roller cams wear out and potentially ruin any block, if not checked? Not that replacing a bronze distributor gear is surgery for an aluminum FE, but it would seem that a failure could ultimately reduce the chance of a "high mileage" aluminum FE.

It could happen...but not as likely as you think. The bronze gear is the sacrifical lamb, asspecially when you add the drag of a mega oil-pump.

Building on what Rick said, that "kit" you want to carry with you for the MSD and bronze gear issues should include the aforementioned cap, rotor and gear. What you'll also want is a small gear puller, some lube, a big damn screwdriver or some other lever to help talk the distributor out of the engine and some beer. You'll want the gear pre-drilled to match the distributor shank hole, and I would advise that both holes be big enough for a Chevy-sized pin rather than the smaller Ford pin (I've had one of those let go).

I was caught at about the 9,000 level in the Sierras a few years ago and had suffered a previous bronze gear failure. Pat Buckley (he of the famous "Buckley Mirror Mounts") prepped the kit since he figured he'd be the one having to deal with it (he was the non-official pit crew for the likes of Turk, U2, myself and other Gasholes). When we all pulled over, we all grabbed our well-stocked tool bags and opened them up so that Pat could pick and choose what he needed while we looked at the beautiful scenary and checked our watches hoping that we'd get to Tahoe in time for the tables. Took Pat about 20 minutes, most of which was taken up while he waited for the motor to cool, and for Tinker to dance around while he donated his finger tip and inserted it into the hot motor in search of its G-Spot (TDC).

This was a solid roller cam. It now sits on a shelf since being replaced by a flat tappet monster, as God and all-things having to do with good and proper manners dictate.