[chopper guy]

Hey folks. Was wondering how to tell steel from cast iron distributor gear, visually or otherwise on 1988 5.0 Thanks

 

[82 BKO]

OK, I am a bit rusty so double check my info,

Use a magnet--Steel is magnetic, Cast Iron is not

Also I assume this revolves around a roller cam gear vs a flat tappett gear? In that case isn't the gear material bronze (old style hyd cam) vs. iron on a roller cam? Bronze should be a different color.

You should be able to find a lot on this at the hotrod sites and I am sure others with first hand experience will be along soon,

82

 

[Alvin in AZ]

Use a magnet--Steel {and Cast Iron} is magnetic, {bronze and brass} is not.

Alvin in AZ

 

[351w500]

I have a steel desk with a cast iron ashtray on it, My magnets LOVE both.

 

[Alvin in AZ]

I have a steel desk with a cast iron ashtray on it, My magnets LOVE both.

So? You took up smoking? LOL Quitchet?

Anyway, your post reminded me of this sorry excuse for a pilot bearing...

...it's an oil-lite-bearing and mostly sintered bronze but has enough iron
powder in the mix to be (pretty strongly) attracted to a magnet.

But the question is which engines need which type distributor gear?

Alvin in AZ
ps- In FE's and FT's use a 6303 sealed ball bearing for a pilot bearing!

 

[nevadagary]

Spark it on a grinding wheel. Mild steel will usually show a nice orange spark with a burst on the end. Cast iron will show a short dull orangish straight spark close to the wheel. Just a touch should tell you.

 

[Alvin in AZ]

Spark it on a grinding wheel. Mild steel will usually show a nice orange
spark with a burst on the end. Cast iron will show a short dull orangish
straight spark close to the wheel. Just a touch should tell you.

Cool, a fellow spark tester!

Can't do it anymore but when I was good, I could tell the difference in
50100-B and 1095, which was my highest spark testing achievement.

50100-B ~= 6195 ~= W7 tool steel

But the trick to it to have known samples to test against side by side.

Alvin in AZ

 

[nevadagary]

Cool, a fellow spark tester!

Can't do it anymore but when I was good, I could tell the difference in
50100-B and 1095, which was my highest spark testing achievement.

50100-B ~= 6195 ~= W7 tool steel

But the trick to it to have known samples to test against side by side.

Alvin in AZ

I really wasn't a spark tester but I am a toolmaker and I had to do a little spark testing at Ford but we had a heat treater in the toolroom that was phenominal at sparking. He could hit a piece of steel or iron against the spark wheel and tell you in about 2 seconds what it was. Awesome. I just know the differnce between steel and cast iron. I usually tell by drilling a hole in it. Steel will throw a curly chip that sometimes will turn blue. Iron throws a chip that is like dust or granular sometimes in clumps and never turns blue.:whiteflag

 

[Bruno2]

The only difference in dizzy gears is steel or bronze. I just had a roller cam custom ground for my 351W and the specs called for a steel/OEM dizzy gear. If this helps any.

 

[msm3c]

Depending on the source a steel gear will have a more machined finish where the roll pin goes. Steel on top cast on bottom. Both are magnetic.

 

[miesk5]

You most likely have steel gears in your 88 5.0
Here is some info from Cardone:
1988 Bronco
Distributor Electronic - CARDONE Select [New]
5.0 Liters and w/Cast Iron GearSupplied w/Cap and Rotor;Cast Iron and Steel Gears are not interchangeable and will cause severe damage.
by Cardone @ http://www.cardone.com/find-parts/ve...onco&year=1988
--
So this may be the New distr that O'Reilly's sells.
&
I checked http://www.fordparts.com/ and below Ford catalog, but neither shows a pn for a Ford MC distr for your year 5.0; so aftermarket is only choice.

Ford Motorcraft® (fordinstallersupport.com) - Rotating Electrical (Starters, Alternators, Window & Wiper Motors, etc.), Ignition Components, Wire & Cable, Battery Cables, Windshield Washer Pumps, Wiring Harness Accessories, etc. Parts Catalog, Bronco/Ford truck & all Fords w/Ford Part Numbers, Illustrations & Cross References (54 MB pdf)
Page 253
1988 5.0L (302) FI Bronco, E/F Series E5TE-12127AA
ORIGINAL
That Ford pn is not available @;
http://www.partsvoice.com
http://www.rearcounter.com
http://www.greensalescompany.com
...
I have some install LINKs in my site at http://www.broncolinks.com/index.php?index=220

GL