Getting ready to install a new MSD pro-billet marine distributer into my fresh big block Chevy and I want to confirm I have the right gear for my cam. I called Isky and they said to look at the engraving on the cam but the problem is the engine shop already closed up the engine and its fully dressed and in the boat. The gear on the distributer is some melonized gear I think its cast but I am not sure if this will be ok or do I need a Bronze. Is it true if I run a composite then it doesn't matter the cam material?? I do not need something so minor taking out a new engine.

https://www.holley.com/products/igni...et/parts/85603

I have heard that ARP sell a gear that is compatible with all cams.

Did a little research and the Comp cams composite gear is compatible with most cam material but not recommended with high Vol/Press pumps which I know my engine is equipped with LOL. I'm temped to try it and have to pull the distributer in a few weeks to inspect it. I'm worried the equipped melonized gear is going to be an issue because the cam is billet. I'm playing RED OR BLACK here!

Can you see if the cam core is gold between the lobes?

If it is indeed a melonized gear, it should be fine.

FWIW every new msd I ever had my hands on had a cheap shiny black, chinese gear. For example, Cam motion cams are 8640 billet, if you run the MSD gear on them with high volume oil pump, by about 60-100 hours cam gear and dist gear will be scalloped and damaged. I usually run the cam motion gear they sell, Ive also ran melonized gears on 8640 billets, brass/bronze gears (drag race and short life stuff) and a few poly or composite gears. The few times I have ran the composite gears I break engine in on dyno with the cheap MSD before swapping it to take the sharp edges off. something else I do to ALL bbc engines is orientate the distributor to about where it goes and cut a small slit in lower distributor band directly facing where cam gear meshes to help oil the gears fwiw, Smitty

This is worth a read.

http://www.enginebuildermag.com/2009...tributor-gear/

Yeah, the info constantly contradicts itself, Comp cams statement from that article below is perfect example, contrary to THAT statement Cam motion will sell you a billet core hydraulic roller / roller cam and a matching steel gear (they dont say what gear is) and it works OK. Ive also ran the no name 60$ melonized gear from engine pro in a hot street truck on a 8640 steel roller in a SBC and timing has NOT decayed from gear wear in 10,000 miles (also modded the distributors oiling). I have put timing gun on a boat that guy said "slowed down" and timing had decayed from 34 to 22 degrees, pulled his MSD distributor out and found that chinese gear MSD uses scalloped all to hell. His engine builder screwed the pooch on that one.
THIS STATEMENT FROM THAT ARTICLE CONTRADICTS CAM MOTIONS PRACTICES: "If you have a billet steel hydraulic or solid roller cam, your two options are:
1. Bronze distributor gear

2. Composite distributor gear"

I spoke to MSD and it is confirmed melonized

I called comp yesterday I wanted to talk to them about running their composite gear and they said it is not recommended for a high col pump as it will die very quickly so I do not know my best course of action here. I cant believe something so simple is so confusing lol

something else I do to ALL bbc engines is orientate the distributor to about where it goes and cut a small slit in lower distributor band directly facing where cam gear meshes to help oil the gears fwiw, Smitty

How exactly do you do this? What exactly is getting a cut in it?

Can I tell by looking at the cam gear on the new distributer if it is melonized or a junk gear just waiting to wreck my cam and engine?