Distributor gear confusion

[travis]

Camking says I need a melonized steel distributor gear for the cam I ordered. Just looking on Summits website they list 13 steel distributor gears for a .530” shaft, but only 1 for a .530” shaft specified as melonized steel. Is there a difference? If so, what would you use a regular steel gear with? Iron gear for cast iron cams, melonized steel for billet steel cams? I’m confused

Most all aftermarket distributors with a steel gear also do not say they are melonized. Is it implied that any steel gear is melonized?

[Schurkey]

I wouldn't count on a "typical" mass-market gear having any sort of special metal treatment. Especially if it's a low-budget deal on the bottom of a Chinese distributor.

http://distributorgears.com/

^^^also Straub.


There's been a lot of talk about "detailing" cam and distributor gears with a hand file. Apparently, it makes a difference when all the sharp edges are broken.

[Walter R. Malik]

Camking says I need a melonized steel distributor gear for the cam I ordered. Just looking on Summits website they list 13 steel distributor gears for a .530” shaft, but only 1 for a .530” shaft specified as melonized steel. Is there a difference? If so, what would you use a regular steel gear with? Iron gear for cast iron cams, melonized steel for billet steel cams? I’m confused

Most all aftermarket distributors with a steel gear also do not say they are melonized. Is it implied that any steel gear is melonized?

"Melonized" is a Nitrided Ductile Iron; it is not the same as steel or cast iron.

Whatever the core of the camshaft gear is made from is what will determine the correct distributor gear material.

A Comp Cams "Melonized" distributor gear for use with .531" I.D. 302/351W Ford having any SADI core camshaft is #435M

[travis]

The comp 435M is what I ordered after he confirmed it was ok. I spent some time googling for info...and there is a LOT of bad info out there.

Thanks guys!

[kirkwoodken]

Some extra info on distributor/cam gears is here:

http://camshaftmachine.com/wp-content/u ... -01-30.pdf

[Geoff2]

I am running a Melonized/Nitrided steel gear that came on a Chinese dist. Many dists now come with steel gears that are compatible with billet steel roller cams. Crane has them for Fords & Chevs. Lunati sells the 'Everwear' melonized gear. Probably others too.

I have been monitoring my ign timing to see if it retards, indicating wear. No change at all in over 12 months, driven weekly.