Quote:
Originally posted by LX XLR8R
i was told not to use one becasue it carries the harmonics from one part of the motor to another
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Arguably the most dependable engine Ford ever built, the 300ci six, is gear drive. 300,000+ miles before replacing any internals is very common. Unless your engine is seriously out of balance, you won't experience any negative effects from using a gear drive.
Even the very best timing chains start to stretch the first time you fire the engine, and are visually stretched, meaning you don't need any tools other then your eyes to see it, after 10k miles. By 50k miles, your performance is noticably down, and by 100k miles, your valve timing will vary as much as 4 degrees each way while driving, and your ignition timing becomes very sloppy, costing you power, reliability, and high rpms.
Honestly, timing chains should be replaced every 75k miles, tops, but most people figure if it isn't broken, it must be okay.
A quality gear drive will maintain the valvetrain geometry and the ignition timing much better, and will keep it within specs much longer than any chain. It will also allow you to reach higher rpms consistantly.
Of course, that's just my opinion.
Take care,
~Chris