604 distributor gear

[50j]

I'm finding conflicting information about something. Will the factory installed distributor gear on a MSD Pro Billet 85551 work fine in a 604 or does it need to be changed?

[brad hibbard]

YES---the black MSD gear that comes on a 85551 distributor works fabulous on a 604 or 602 camshaft
On the 604 you can use bronze if you prefer but we never do

you might have some conflicting information because of a few things---

1) we have always known that an aftermarket roller camshaft required a bronze gear and to my knowledge that still remains true --however the factory 604 camshaft is produced with a material that is compatible with iron or bronze
this is true for distributor gear and fuel pump push rod
****NOTE**** 602 camshafts are NOT compatible with bronze
http://race-1.com/p-26192-what-fuel-pump-push-rod-dist-gear-should-i-use-in-my-602.html

2) there are look alike MSD distributors out there that use a much softer gear
it tears up quickly and usually damages the camshaft
Many people relate this look alike product to MSD and it's not
Genuine MSD gear works great and is what we use and recommend.

Brad
www.race-1.com

[50j]

Thanks Brad, that's exactly what I was looking for. MSD calls the factory gear "melonized iron" and most of what I found for hydraulic roller cams called for a melonized steel gear. Splitting hairs I'm sure but I wanted to check. Thank you!