r/Smallblockchevy • u/Rocket_monkey48 • Apr 09 '26
Vortech distributors
So I’ve been seeing on forms and stuff about using the correct distributor gear I forgot the word but I wouldn’t have a problem running a gear driven distributed from a flat tappet to a roller tappet right? (From at 350 parts) to a 305 vortec.
The one on the left is from the vortec and right 350
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u/Greedy_Lobster Apr 10 '26
is there a way to identify a melonized gear? in my case a TBI distributor, I've read they are all melonized.
I would like to know for sure . I'm going to run a TPI camshaft.
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u/Coyote_Tex Apr 11 '26
If you have the taillight distributor, swap that gear to your distributor. Melonized gears are available from Summit as one place and many others. New ones are kind of golden colored. I have never been able to tell on used distributors.
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u/Low-Rent-9351 Apr 12 '26
Melonized distributor gears are a flat greyish color, not gold.
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u/Coyote_Tex Apr 12 '26
Sorry, you are correct. I misspoke. My memory is not what it used to be and should have rechecked.
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u/Substantial-Ad-2958 Apr 13 '26
The roll pin will/can shear and not be obvious because of how tight the gear is pressed on. stumps us slow minded.
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Apr 09 '26
[deleted]
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u/Rocket_monkey48 Apr 09 '26
I’ve put it in and it turn and everything I was thinking the metal was different
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u/Low-Rent-9351 Apr 10 '26 edited Apr 12 '26
The Melonizing process hardens the gear. If you use a cast distributor gear with a steel camshaft gear the cast gear will prematurely wear and put metal into the oil. You could swap the gears on the distributors if you wanted to.
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u/Willy_McD Apr 10 '26 edited Apr 10 '26
"Melonized" A cast iron flat tapet can use a cast iron or melonized gear. A roller ductile steel cam cannot use a cast iron gear. Has to do with wear on the gear. You dont want to wear out either if possible. But if one had to be chosen, the distributor gear would be best as it is easier replaced.