Hi folks
Did an 83 D-150 pick up 225 with computerized electronic ignition (in air cleaner) come stock with any fiber timing gears?
Am finally finishing a lot of minor work including a complete HEI conversion and have radiator and water pump and ac out. But if the truck didn't come with a fiber gear I see no reason to pull and look as there are no symptoms of poor performance. (since hei and carb have been replaced).

Engine has about a 100K on it. So the question is if the truck never came with fiber gears should i just replace the steel gears that are in there now?!, condsidering the mileage?
thanks in advance as usual
jeff

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FRCC
(9) slant six engines / + misc parts for same.
1969 D100 318 4 spd

Have you checked for timing chain slack? In Other words, have you checked if replacement is even necessary?

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Casually looking for a Clifford hyperpak intake for cheap.

Slant-6 engines never came with fibre/phenolic timing sprockets. At first they used a steel cam sprocket. Starting in '68 or so, they came with an aluminum cam sprocket with nylon teeth. In all cases the crank sprocket is steel. Pop off the distributor cap and, using the belt and fan blade, manually rotate the engine in one direction until you see the distributor rotor begin to turn, then see how far you can manually rotate it the other direction before the distributor rotor starts turning. Use the timing marks as a guide/gauge to how many degrees the crank turns before the distributor moves. If there is more than a degree or two of perceptible lag, the T-chain is slack and/or the cam sprocket is worn.

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一期一会
Too many people who were born on third base actually believe they've hit a triple.

Good advice folks,,,,,,thanks
frcc

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FRCC
(9) slant six engines / + misc parts for same.
1969 D100 318 4 spd

I just change the chain on my 83-original with more play in it that want to know about-Its a steel gear on the cam.

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I may be slow,but I"m ahead of you.

Years ago I bought a MP timing set for my 383. The crank gear was powdered metal. circa 1977.

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'72 Duster 198 stock cam, 3:23's Hookers on jack stands for 8 years in the driveway
'79 Maxivan 360 Offy Qjet Comp RV cam/rusting in the driveway.
93 D350 160HP Cummins Auto Dually Clubcab needs a injector pump
2005 Golden Couch Buick

For what it's worth...
The factory "all metal" cam gears were made of a "high nickel content" cast iron material.
The cast iron replacement gears we get today are made of an unknown grade of cast iron but it is likely to be a simple "gray iron"... with a low nickel / chrome content. (less $$)
Many of these replacement gears wear-out quickly, with visible metal erosion on the teeth.
There is also a powdered metal top gear out there but those also wear-out pretty fast. (but not as fast as the "cheap" cast iron gears)
There are some top (cam) gears made from billet steel, offered in the higher quality JP Performance, RollMaster & ProGear "double roller" sets. Some of those have heat treated gear teeth for added wear resistance.

Me, I will not use any of today's cast iron replacement cam gears as they come "out-of-the-box", they are just too soft.
DD