MSD cam & distributor gear update AMC V8

[Guynn <amx69@xxxxxxxxxx>]

Spoke with the MSD rep today on their new AMC cam/distributor gear sets. 
I was inpormed that MSD already has placed a stocking order for the 
gears. Was told:
#1 the gears would not be available until the end of march
#2, the gear tests results were great. NO FAILURES one tester still has 
not been contacted for results.
#3, NO PRICE as they will not have a price until the product is released 
for sale
#4, that the ''original'' manufacturer for AMC is building the gears.

Things I have noticed about the MSD prototypes I was sent for trials:
#1, they appear to be manufactured of the same material
#2, they are Both coated with some surface treatment[semi gloss gray]
#3 the Distributor gear also requires the user to drill the hole for the 
roll pin completely thru just as real AMC gear requires.
#4, the 2 sets I was sent for evaluation in customer engines performed 
flawlessly.

Something to understand about this latest rash of AMC cam and 
distributor gear issues is that the problems of gear wear are just that 
problem[S] with a ''S''. Not any single one thing causes problems here. 
However I feel the lastest rash is due to three things:. #1, and formost 
is cheap/junk/ gears that do not have the correct tooth design, or are 
improperply matched materials, are being sold right next to the GOOD 
parts. And due to imopts, they use the SAME part numberr. Only the 
PACKAGING will really reviel the source of the part.
#2, lax assembly methods due to in-expierence
#3, the modification of our engine oil with the removal of the ''high 
pressure lubrican'' imulsified ZINC in oil formulated for Gasoline 
burning engines.
It seems that so far, no one has come up with a replacement for ZINC in 
DIESEL applications, so the ZINC additive oils are still available.

At any rate, a perfectly match set of gears is no 100% gurantee that you 
will not have gear wear issues, but it will show you to look at OTHER 
reasons for the wear than the posibility of Junk/Mismatched gears.  good 
gears won't stop cam walk if that is the problem. Good gears won't work 
fine if the oil transfer slot in the timing set is fiull of casting 
flash and stops oil flow. Good gears will not stop some other problem 
from wiping out the gears. What good matched gears will do, is take a 
lot of thje reasons gears wear, OUT of the arena, because it will not be 
one of the issues that needs to be addressed along with the others to 
access gear wear.

This gear wear problem USED to only come along every so often and it was 
always due to installation, or mis-machined parts. Lately it comes up on 
the vast majority of engines. I predict the problem will go back to the 
frequency of years ago once GOOD, MATCHED. QUALITY pieces are available. 

One more thing I want to add, I know 100% without doubt that the CHEAP 
gears out there are not cheap when you factor in all the lost parts and 
engines , and TIME that the Cheap Junk costs after you buy it and 
install it. What does saving money have to do with buying CHEAPO JUNK 
that costs you an engine??? what did you save??? Nothing, you helped 
ruin parts, not SAVE anything, money, or parts.

My OPINION on much of this, based on the FACTS I have leared in over 30 
years of dealing with AMCs.

Regards,
Randy Guynn


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