do i need a new distributor drive gear with my new cam?

[bikedude189]

just like it says, re-using existing distributor, do i need a new drive gear to mesh with the new cam?

[dwg86]

Hmmm, good question. I didn't use a new one, but I guess it couldn't hurt.

[bikedude189]

i think i'll keep mine then... they're like 40$ and that's at the cheap place where they are no longer stocked...

[YJason]

O'reilly auto parts has a Cardone Reman dist with new cap, rotor, cam sensor, and gear for $50

[Cheromaniac]

just like it says, re-using existing distributor, do i need a new drive gear to mesh with the new cam?

No. As long as the existing drivegear is in good condition with no significant wear, you can reuse it.

[gonridnu]

A buddy of mine and I had a discussion about this the other day. He was a tech service guy for a cam company for about 7 years. He explained to me that they periodically had cams come back where the drive gear portion was destroyed. His comment, which makes sense, is that the two gears must wear into each other much like a ring and pinion set. If the wear pattern on the existing distributor gear is such that it cannot properly wear into the cam gear the possibility exists that they will begin to eat eachother up. While over the years a bazillion people have done came swaps using existing distributors I'm going with a new one because a failure will cost me way more $40 in gaskets and I'm the guy that kinda crap happens to:)