Recently I noticed a Post on timing gears.
In my newly rebuilt B20, which at present sits on the garage floor, I am wondering if I should take the fiber timing gear out and put a steel set in. The fiber set is new, but as many Bricksters know changing them is a lot easier with the engine out. Not to mention avoiding a future breakdown would be a good thing.
Could Brick Borders weigh in on the issue for me? Is keeping the stock set in the engine a big risk? The B20 is bored out and there’s an Isky cam in there with all the usual fixins. I certainly don’t want to run the risk of wrecking all that.
I noticed that Phil mentioned an after market set by NAPA, but that Skandix sells them also. Is six of one or a half dozen of the other?
I’ll probably change them out. I’d rather spend a lot now than an awful lot later, at which time it will be more of an inconvenience, no doubt.
What say ye all?

Go with the fibre gears unless you have double valve springs and will be thrashing the engine abusively.
However, a major source of failure in replacement fibre gears is using the crank gear to hold the fibre one while tightening the nut. You must build a tool to engage the holes on the fibre gear face and hold it that way. I used a piece of 1 1/2 inch by 3/16 angle iron, and welded two stubs of 3/4 round stock on one end, perpendicular to the angle iron, on the same spacing as two of the gear holes. The angle iron is slightly longer than my torque wrench, so I can hold both at the same time. I have used it for twenty years.

I've gone over 100k on fiber gears. I haven't had a problem with them, but probably will consider a steel gear next time since they seem more available lately.
Never thought it was a big deal to change the gears while the engine was still in the car.
Since my engines are not prone to interference issues, I have run timing gears to the breaking point with no ill effects....other than have to drag a car home once!
Just my opinion.
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'86 745T, '72 144E, '70 145S, '68 220S, '60 544

When I bought my first Amazon, back in 1959, I asked the dealer what part he thought might fail first. He said, "timIng gear", and I bought a spare because I was taking the car where service was not readily available. I carried that gear in the trunk of two Amazons for 25 years, and it was still there when I sold the second one with well over 150K miles on the clock.
They give you ample warning when they start to go, and they are fairly easy to replace without pulling the engine. If I had a new one in an engine, I wouldn't change it on the chance that it could break down ten or more years from now.
Bob S.

When I bought my first Amazon, back in 1959, I asked the dealer what part he thought might fail first. He said, "timIng gear", and I bought a spare because I was taking the car where service was not readily available. I carried that gear in the trunk of two Amazons for 25 years, and it was still there when I sold the second one with well over 150K miles on the clock.
They give you ample warning when they start to go, and they are fairly easy to replace without pulling the engine. If I had a new one in an engine, I wouldn't change it on the chance that it could break down ten or more years from now.
Bob S.


Hello Mr. Dorper I was searching the web and found your post about timing gear for B20 engine, that is one part that i need, i wonder if you still have it and if you were willing to sell, excuse me if my english is not correct but I am not from USA but from Bolivia and I am trying to rebuilt an 1981 c202 volvo and i have found the engine but this gear has a couple of tooth damaged it is fibre by the way, i would thank your response, thank you in advance.

Interesting but rather mixed up post. Buying a spare timing gear set in 1959 would have meant it was for a B16. Not the same as for the B18/20. When a B16 gear goes out the engine just stops with no damage. Having had one fail back in 1967 I didn't instantly realise the gear had gone, thought it was electrical but that showed that the dizzy wasn't rotating which meant a gear failure. My gear had the fibre gear molded to the a centre which just had a coarse knurling on it. Maybe, later replacement gears have a star shaped steel centre the same as the B18/20 fibre gears. At least they will allow the engine to noisily carry on running when they fail, even to the extent of just falling off when you take off the timing cover.

Hello,

New timing gears are still available.

You can buy just the fiber camshaft gear, or a fiber gear set or a steel gear set.

Some of the sets include gaskets and seals.

Steel timing gears are recommended for ultimate reliability.

http://hiperformanceautoservice.com/product_info.php?products_id=60&osCsid=56e7f7ab97677fabad147c1eaf10f883

http://hiperformanceautoservice.com/product_info.php?products_id=98&osCsid=56e7f7ab97677fabad147c1eaf10f883

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Eric
Hi Performance Automotive Service (formerly OVO or Old Volvos Only)
Torrance, CA 90502

Great story Sil... I like that.

I'm with the others. the fibre gear is fine. In probabl 750k miles of driving B18/B20 Volvos, I've had one timing gear failure. I've put about 250k on my 1800, and its engine still sound just fine... no sign of a problem at all.

But then, if you've got a wild cam, double valve springs, and money to spare, I suppose that choice is up to you.

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-Matt I ♥ my ♂

I think the fiber gear is perfectly fine for stock valve springs, reasonable cams, and reasonable revs. It will just give up the ghost a little quicker if you go to a stouter drivetrain and a bigger cam, and you rev it way up.
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I'm JohnMc, and I approved this message.