Steel distributor gear

[cldonley]

Picked up a duraspark from an 82 truck with 351 a while back. Getting ready to put the 95 351 in the frame and was wondering whether I need to change out the gear on the distributor. What years had steel gears? Is there a way to tell the difference? Thanks!

 

[blubuckaroo]

Ford trucks started using roller cams in the mid 90's. Even though the blocks were made for rollers, some still got flat tappet cams. You'll need to pull a valve cover and measure the push rod, or pull the valve cover to know for sure.

BTW, 351W roller blocks had a tendency to get a crack in the cam journals.
Its worth researching.
https://www.jalopyjournal.com/forum/threads/ford-351-w-vs-351-c-engines.1057158/

 

[cldonley]

Thanks! Definitely got a roller block, no cracks. Ordering up a steel gear.