Best Car Distributor Gears of 2025
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Car distributor gears are an essential component in the ignition system of a vehicle. These gears are responsible for the precise timing of the spark that ignites the fuel in the engine, thereby ensuring that the engine runs smoothly and efficiently. Made from durable materials, such as hardened steel or bronze, car distributor gears are designed to withstand the high temperatures and pressures of the engine environment. They come in a variety of sizes and shapes to fit different makes and models of vehicles, and are available from a range of reputable manufacturers.
At a Glance: Our Top Picks
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Top 10 Car Distributor Gears
Allstar Performance Bronze Distributor Gear
Allstar Performance Gear is a high-quality auto part made in the United States. With compact package dimensions of 17.526 cm in length, 10.16 cm in width, and 2.286 cm in height, it is lightweight at 1.0lbs. This gear is specifically designed for car distributor systems, ensuring smooth and efficient performance. The bronze material enhances durability and longevity, providing reliability for your vehicle. Its origin in the United States signifies quality craftsmanship and precision engineering, offering you a trustworthy car part solution.
Comp Cams Bronze Distributor Gear for Chevy with MSD Distributor
Comp Cams Bronze Distributor Gear is designed for small and big block Chevy engines using MSD distributors. With a 0.500 inches shaft diameter, it's a crucial component when installing a steel roller cam. Made of AMPCO-45 extruded aluminum bronze with 5 percent nickel, this gear features a durable tooth design that resists wear. Its vehicle-specific fit ensures precise compatibility, offering reliability and longevity to your engine.
Crown Automotive Distributor Gear Kit Engine
The Crown Distributor Gear Kit is a top-quality, durable, and long-lasting replacement for your vehicle's distributor gear. Made with high-quality construction, this gear kit enhances the style, comfort, and functionality of your vehicle. With its direct replacement feature, it is easy to install and ensures a perfect fit. The Crown Distributor Gear Kit is specifically designed for vehicle-specific fit, providing you with peace of mind. Upgrade your vehicle's performance and reliability with this reliable gear kit from Crown Auto.
Omix-Ada Distributor Gear Kit
Omix-Ada Gear Kit is a high-quality distributor gear kit designed specifically for 1972-1991 Jeep CJ / SJ models. With an OE reference of 4486635K, this kit ensures a perfect fit and reliable performance. The kit includes all the necessary components to keep your Jeep running smoothly, such as the distributor gear and other essential parts. With a limited 5-year warranty, you can have peace of mind knowing that this gear kit is built to last. Omix-Ada takes pride in offering parts that meet or exceed factory standards, ensuring that your Jeep will continue to perform like new. Upgrade your distributor gear with Omix-Ada and experience the convenience and reliability it brings.
MSD 8471 Bronze Distributor Gear
The MSD 8471 Bronze Distributor Gear ensures perfect timing by properly meshing to the camshaft gear. Made from quality AMPCO 45 aluminum bronze material and micro-polished surface, it guarantees smooth contact and contains 5% nickel. Its high-strength teeth makes it durable and reliable.
COMP Cams 412M Distributor Gear
This car distributor gear is made of melonized iron and has a shaft of 0.491 inches. The package dimensions are 5.2 x 6.7 x 10.4 cm (L x W x H) and the package weighs 0.152 kg. This product is made in the United States.
Allstar Performance Iron Distributor Gear
The Allstar Iron Distributor Gear is designed for reliability and performance. With dimensions of 6.93 x 3.98 x 1.5 inches and a lightweight of just 0.31 pounds, it is easy to handle and install. This gear is ideal for Chevy V6 and V8 engines, providing a perfect fit for your vehicle. Its iron construction makes it suitable for high-volume oil pump applications, ensuring durability under demanding conditions. Additionally, the melonized coating offers a direct replacement for both Allstar Performance and other stock distributors, making it a versatile choice for car enthusiasts.
COMP Cams 12140 Composite Distributor Gear
Get superior performance with the COMP Cams 12140 Composite Distributor Gear. Made from a high-strength composite material, this gear offers 300% more durability than bronze gears when used with steel camshafts. It fits .500 inch Shaft Diameter, Small and Big Block Chevrolet engines, and is manufactured by the top performance product manufacturer in the world.
JEGS Bronze Distributor Gear
The JEGS Distributor Gear is a high-quality gear made in the USA, designed to fit small and big block Chevy V8 engines. It is necessary to use this gear when using a steel billet roller camshaft or high-volume oil pump. This gear is not compatible with a cast or steel camshaft that has an integral iron distributor drive gear. It is specifically designed for use with MSD, Accel 34 and 41 series, JEGS Brand part numbers 555-40520, 555-40060, 555-40061, and possibly others. With a 0.500" shaft, this gear ensures a secure connection and smooth operation. Upgrade your distributor gear with the reliable and durable JEGS Bronze Distributor Gear.
Moroso 26140 Distributor Gear Shim Kit
The Moroso 26140 Distributor Gear Shim Kit is a vehicle-specific kit that allows precise adjustment of the distributor shaft end play. This helps improve timing accuracy and reduces gear wear. It is compatible with Moroso, GM, Accel, Chrysler, and other distributors with a 1/2" diameter shaft. The kit includes two .010" shims, two .020" shims, and one .053" shim. With this kit, you can easily fine-tune your distributor's performance and ensure optimal engine timing. The precise adjustment capability of this kit ensures accurate ignition timing, which can lead to improved engine performance and fuel efficiency. Additionally, reducing gear wear can extend the lifespan of your distributor, saving you money on potential replacements in the long run.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
1. How do you pick distributor gears?
When choosing distributor gears, it's crucial to select the right material. The gear should be slightly softer than the camshaft to ensure accurate ignition timing and engine longevity. If the gear is too soft, it will wear out quickly, so finding the right balance is key.
2. What are the different types of distributor gears?
There are several types of distributor gears available, including iron gears, bronze gears, melonized gears, and composite gears. Each type has its own unique properties and uses in specific engine setups.
3. What are the symptoms of a bad distributor gear?
A damaged distributor gear can cause various issues for car owners. Common symptoms include timing problems, idle issues, backfiring, and even engine failure. Troubleshooting these problems can be challenging and may require inspecting the distributor gear.
4. Why do distributor gears wear out?
Excessive wear or failure of distributor gears can be attributed to two main factors: the distributor bottoming out on the oil pump and cam movement while the engine is running, also known as 'cam walk.' These factors contribute to the wear and tear of the distributor gears.
5. What distributor gear do you use with a roller cam?
For a roller cam, it is recommended to use a stock iron distributor gear. Ductile iron hydraulic roller cams with a -8 suffix in the part number are compatible with an iron distributor gear. It's important to choose the appropriate distributor gear for specific camshaft requirements.
6. What is a bronze distributor gear for?
Bronze distributor gears are typically used when running a billet steel roller cam, as the roller cam cores are not as hard as those on flat tappet cams. Bronze gears are softer and can compensate for the difference in hardness, ensuring proper operation and durability.
7. Will a car run with a bad distributor?
No, a faulty distributor will prevent the engine from starting or cause a running engine to fail. The distributor is responsible for the ignition spark, so if it is not functioning correctly, the engine will not run.
8. Can a bad distributor cause jerking?
Yes, a bad distributor can cause jerking in a vehicle. Moisture inside the distributor cap, often due to condensation in cold temperatures, can lead to engine misfires and jerking during acceleration at low speeds.
9. How do you know if gears are worn out?
Worn-out gears can exhibit several signs, including increased noise or vibration, excessive temperature rise at the gear device, lubricant smearing, and increased backlash. These indicators suggest that the gears may need to be inspected and potentially replaced.
10. Should I grease the distributor gear?
Before installing the distributor, it is recommended to lubricate the distributor gear with grease and prime the oil pump. Priming the pump can be done using a drill with an intermediate shaft attached to the oil pump. This process helps ensure proper lubrication and oil pressure development.
During our car distributor gear research, we found 24 car distributor gear products and shortlisted 10 quality products. We collected and analyzed 2,476 customer reviews through our big data system to write the car distributor gears list. We found that most customers choose car distributor gears with an average price of $26.70.
The car distributor gears are available for purchase. We have researched hundreds of brands and picked the top brands of car distributor gears, including Allstar Performance, Comp Cams, Crown Automotive, Omix-Ada, MSD. The seller of top 1 product has received honest feedback from 51 consumers with an average rating of 4.9.
Robert Reyes is a dedicated writer from San Francisco with a bachelor of degree in mechanics and a bachelor of degree in marketing. He focuses on making some complicated topics simple and enjoys explaining complex and technical things in an easy-to-understand way.