Cast or Steel gear on an 88 GT?
 

Is there any way to KNOW b-4 I pull it, or do I need to pull it and see what it's got on it?

Re: Cast or Steel gear on an 88 GT?
 

should be a steel gear, but i guess that doesnt mean it is, being i knew a guy that bought a stang with a chewed up gear in it, of course the previous owner didnt know it needed a steel.

Re: Cast or Steel gear on an 88 GT?
 

Coupe50h has the correct answer. It should be a steel gear, roller cam, but it may of been changed by a previous owner.

Re: Cast or Steel gear on an 88 GT?
 

For those people that don't think it really matters (if there are any), I had a brand new motor come in to the shop in a car with a distributor with a cast gear where it should have been steel. Warmed the car up and broke the motor in for about 20 minutes under light load then went to WOT pulls. By the third pull, it completely ate the cast gear up! Moral of the story....always check for the right gear! He didn't and it ended up costing him dearly.

Re: Cast or Steel gear on an 88 GT?
 

If I get the steel and the stocker is cast, will it still work?

Re: Cast or Steel gear on an 88 GT?
 

The steel will work, (this is hardened steel like the cam/gear) the stocker should not be cast.
be aware autozone or other parts stores may try and give you a dist. that is cast or bronze gear, these may work for a couple hundred miles, may work for 5 miles, but it should only be steel if you care about the motor.

Re: Cast or Steel gear on an 88 GT?
 

I got the steel, (I hope), it looks the same as the stock one and I got it for 60 bucks because my bro is a machanic (is that spelled right?) anyway he got a deal and it's a ford distributor, albiet rebuilt I'm sure but I was thinging around $200 for a ford piece :)

Re: Cast or Steel gear on an 88 GT?
 

well if its a ford part and its made for the engine then it should be steel right?

Re: Cast or Steel gear on an 88 GT?
 

I don't agree with that. I run a brass/bronze gear on purpose! And had about 4000 miles on it when I sold the stang. It still looks fine, and going back in the engine.

Re: Cast or Steel gear on an 88 GT?
 

I also run a bronze gear. It looks perfect after 300+ 1/4 mile runs.

Now I am nervous cause I have a ton of money in my new engine. Bronze or steel? which one is better?

Re: Cast or Steel gear on an 88 GT?
 

What kind of dizzy will you be using? What type of oil pump? Off the top, I would use a steel gear, but if your cam manufacturer recommends otherwise, I'd listen to them. You'd also be wise to get a .030" shim to fit between the dizzy and the intake. :)