Thoughts on Gear Drives? and other silly stuff.

[Travis]

My 409 was already rebuilt about 9 years ago and then it sat in a shed. I've already decided I have to go through it again and buy a few things, such as gaskets, rings, bearings, cam/lifter set etc. I was debating switching it to a quiet gear drive so that it won't get sloppy like a timing chain does. Any thoughts or opinions on this?

The 409 is a '65 340hp version, mostly complete including the 161/162 ex mans and all that. I think it's bored .040. That makes it how many cubic inches? 416? The heads are 0817's. I want to stick on the 348 3x2's. I know it bolts right up... but will it affect anything? More hp? Choke it up? Make it look like a 348? :rolleyes:

Travis

[64ss409]

I like the Cloyes True Roller chain. I have run these in 402s, 427s, and 454s. After 100K+ miles, they have less deflection than many brand new factory style chains. I just bought one for my 09 and will have it in soon, I hope!!!:) "Work" is getting in the way of my assembly time.

Ron

[dq409]

Save the money on the gear drive !!! Ron is right about the Cloyes True roller,,,,,,The gear drives are for all out race engines,,,in ones that will see limited miles before rebuilds.
A gear drive will transfer harmonic vibrations through the engine shortning the life of the valve train and other parts.
Spend that money on other high horse power goodies,,,,dq

[Bubbletop Bel-Air]

:D I would also advise you to install a quality true roller type timing set rather than a gear drive. The Jackson gear drive is the only one I am aware of for the 409, I briefly ran a Jackson on a high rpm small block NHRA Super Gas motor. When I would bar the motor over to run the valves, I could not beleive how much resistance there was. I switched to a Jesel belt drive and it was like turning the motor over with the plugs out. I would never run any brand of gear drive again, and your not going to find a Jesel for a 409. No use in trying to reinvent the wheel.

[Travis]

OK.... looks like 3 out of 3 doctors recommend ditching gear drives!

I'll do that then. How about the questions in the second paragraph??

Travis