Straight cut cam gears?

vwpride73 · Post by **vwpride73** » Sat Sep 27, 2003 4:40 pm

The straight cuts arent that expensive and reduce the thrust that is associated with the stock gears. I think its cheap insurance for long engine life.

2litre · Post by **2litre** » Sun Oct 05, 2003 4:13 pm

67 newbie,

I'm relieved you are getting set up for full flow.

For all interested, I had an issue with a motor I built concerning metal from the steel-steel straight cuts destroying my oil pump in a matter of 30 miles. All my fault! It had a GB307 cam in it and I wanted to "detune" it to a spare, stock cammed motor. So, one day I slapped in a stock cam with the existing straight cuts and put it back together. I didn't know how to check for lash and frankly didn't care figuring that the teeth had already meshed so what the heck. Had new doulble thrust bearing and all. Fired it up, synched the carbs and off to town. Well about 30min later the oil light came on at idle. then it stayed on at 20mph in 3rd and by the time I got it home (8 mi.) it was on all the time. When I took the oil pump out it was munched, gears nicked and the aluminum housing gored. My bearings were scored but miraculously my journals were virtually undamaged. The oil screen, plate and magnet were covered in metal pumace.

I have since gone back back to stock gears and have used dual springs with them with no damage observed. My cam choice limits me to 5500 anyway so I'll end up going back to single HD's when I pull the heads next. I wonder if the steel-aluminum gears would had done the same damage to my pump. I know they wouldn't have damaged my bearings had I been set up for full flow.

I guess what I'm trying to say is be carefull. Steel-steel gears can be bad if you don't pay attention to the little things.

Good luck '

Jim

67only · Post by **67only** » Mon Oct 06, 2003 8:25 am

Berg doesnt have the cam bearings in stock anymore. I tried to purchase a set last week and was told by Tim they would be on back order for six months! He did tell me that Vanagon cam bearings are the same, but you had to get them from Volkswagen at a considerable higher cost. I am going to the dealer today to order them, as this is the last thing my 2007 is waiting for. The part # he gave me is 025-198-541. I'll let everybody how it turned out and cost wise.

deac · Post by **deac** » Tue Oct 07, 2003 6:41 am

I got these items from Deano on here at a great deal. THANKS AGAIN MATT!

No problem Bill, although I should have stipulated in the deal that you meet me back at the state line and take me on a couple of high speed blasts through the hills of 75. At least a couple burn outs in front of some grannies at the visitor center

Anyway, it's Deac, I think Deano is someone else.

later

67 newbie · Post by **67 newbie** » Tue Oct 07, 2003 3:40 pm

deac wrote:
I got these items from Deano on here at a great deal. THANKS AGAIN MATT!
No problem Bill, although I should have stipulated in the deal that you meet me back at the state line and take me on a couple of high speed blasts through the hills of 75. At least a couple burn outs in front of some grannies at the visitor center
Anyway, it's Deac, I think Deano is someone else.
later

Sorry "DEAC" I couldn't remember.. oh yeah if you are in TN I will hopefully be running the new motor by Circle Yer Wagons next spring... that may be tooo hopeful but you have to have goals!.. I think I am going to get my Buddy's engine builder to build it for me. Saw him a couple weeks ago he is going to machine my case and give me an estimate... figure if I am investing serious money I better get a professional.

uberbug · Post by **uberbug** » Tue Oct 07, 2003 4:24 pm

I was told the straight cut gears also give you couple extra horsepower since they have much less thrust load. Anyone else heard this?

2litre · Post by **2litre** » Tue Oct 07, 2003 9:04 pm

Is there any disadvantage to running steel-aluminum straight gears vs steel-steel ones?

Seems to me the steel-steel will last longer but, the steel-aluminum would shed particles that may damage bearings, but not cranks or cams.

I love the sound but have had one bad experience with steel gears. My other motor is still humming along happily with them in.

Jim

Bruce2 · Post by **Bruce2** » Tue Oct 07, 2003 11:38 pm

uberbug wrote:I was told the straight cut gears also give you couple extra horsepower since they have much less thrust load. Anyone else heard this?

That is absolutely false! Any difference couldn't be measured, but what I do know is its nowhere near 2hp. Here's why:
1hp=746Watts, so 2hp is almost 1500Watts. Imagine the heat from an electric heater that puts out 1500 Watts. In order for straight cut gears to give you 2hp over helical gears, the helical gears would have to create 1500Watts of heat. Does anyone think the thrust friction is even 1/10th of that?

maxyboyvw · Post by **maxyboyvw** » Thu Oct 09, 2003 5:56 pm

i was considering cb's straight cuts before i read this thread...
can anybody recommend the best helical cam gears?
was thinking of having my stock gear modified BUT i need instructions on how to do it so i can tell the machine shop what to do.
if it's going to cost more, i might as well buy a new cam gear.

vwpride73 · Post by **vwpride73** » Fri Oct 10, 2003 6:28 pm

2litre wrote:Is there any disadvantage to running steel-aluminum straight gears vs steel-steel ones?

Seems to me the steel-steel will last longer but, the steel-aluminum would shed particles that may damage bearings, but not cranks or cams.

I love the sound but have had one bad experience with steel gears. My other motor is still humming along happily with them in.

Jim

Well since steel is stronger than aluminum the steel would just chew the aluminum gear up. Steel on steel is the way to go.

John Kelly · Post by **John Kelly** » Sat Oct 11, 2003 6:39 am

I have some Berg straight cut gears and other stuff for sale if anyone is interested:

http://allshops.org/cgi-bin/community/c ... 0142897618

Gone for the weekend, John www.ghiaspecialties.com