To timing gear or not to timing gear

[Nibble&Sick]

Doing a bit of work before we push off on the next leg of our road trip. Pulled the radiator as the core had a few leaks that didn't trouble us crossing cold Tassie and Victoria but not keen to try it in hotter weather(if we get any that is) so its off for a 3 core recore. So while that was out pulled balancer and timing cover to check timing gear and replace leaking seal. The car is fitted with a fibre gear (gasp) but it was well oiled after our 1300km run,shows no wear, cracking or discolouration. I am temped to leave things alone, remove oiler clean and put it all back together. Am I pushing my luck on a long trip?

It's an original holden gear and as I write this I can just picture myself broken down by the side of the road kicking myself for not replacing it. It's just that old "if it an't broke don't fix it" thing going off in my head....

[Blacky]

If you already have the front of the motor off you may as well ...... or you will be doing it again on the side of the road somewhere

[Harv]

If you already have the front of the motor off you may as well ...... or you will be doing it again on the side of the road somewhere

Amen.

Cheers,
Harv

[Devilrod]

x3, change it now while you have the front apart. You won't regret it. But if you don't......

[Nibble&Sick]

I so hear you guys and respect your experience and knowledge. I so like my quite grey at the moment and would hate to listen to gear noise hour after hour day after day. But it seems that if i go with the existing gear that a break down will be unavoidable. Would replacing it with a fibre be a wast of time and money?
Were would be the best steel gear to use and from were?

here are some photos for your viewing pleasure

[Harv]

This may help

http://www.fbekholden.com/forum/viewtop ... 25&t=13931

If you're still around Sydney, try American Autos (Rare Spares) at Prospect. Part number MFXCAM is just the cam gear (you don't need the crank gear too) in steel.

Would not put a fibre one on... steel ones last forever, fibre ones don't like sitting stagnant (they seem to dry out)... maybe not an issue now, but bet you will swear in ten years time . The steel ones can have a slight "supercharger" whine when first put on, but usually soon bed-in and are as quiet as fibre.

Cheers,
Harv

[John.B.]

I agree. I got my cam gear from American Autos last week and posted to Victoria. By the time I bought all of the gaskets and seals as well, it was about $20 cheaper than Rare Spares in Melbourne.