Steel Distributor Gear — Ford 289/302, 0.468" I.D.
The gear is the weak link. Fix it first. A distributor's performance is only as good as its drive gear. MSD put real work into this one - building test fixtures and spending hundreds of hours evaluating metallurgical compositions; heat treating; and coatings before settling on the alloy used here. What came out of it is a gear built to stay accurate as the miles add up. The outer hardened layer runs RC 55-60 for wear resistance where the load actually is; and interstitial carbide concentration improves wear resistance over the gear's life. Micro polished surface. Melonite QPQ coating to cut friction and initial wear. Long life; easy break-in; reliable performance.
Install Level: Advanced - pressed fit; shaft cross-drilling and gear height setup
Gear inside diameter: 0.468 inch.
Listed for MSD distributors 8582; 8579; 8479; 8352 and 8503.
Camshaft compatibility is not published by MSD - confirm gear-to-cam material before installing.
Whether a roll pin is supplied is not stated on the manufacturer listing.
The gear is the weak link. Fix it first.
MSD's steel replacement drive gear for carbureted Ford distributors with a 0.468-inch inside diameter — and MSD names the units it fits: 8582, 8579, 8479, 8352, and 8503. Special alloy, Melonite QPQ coated, hardened to RC 55-60.
A distributor's performance is only as good as its drive gear. MSD put real work into this one — building test fixtures and spending hundreds of hours evaluating metallurgical compositions, heat treating, and coatings before settling on the alloy used here.
What came out of it is a gear built to stay accurate as miles add up. The outer hardened layer runs RC 55-60 for wear resistance where the load actually is. Interstitial carbide concentration improves wear resistance over the gear's life. The surface is micro polished for smooth contact, and a Melonite QPQ coating cuts friction and initial wear.
MSD's own summary: long life, an easy break-in period, and reliable performance. One thing to settle before ordering — gear material has to match camshaft material, and MSD does not publish which camshaft materials this steel gear is approved for.
What's In the Box
The gear itself:
- x1 Steel Distributor Drive Gear — Special Alloy, Melonite QPQ Coated, 0.468" I.D.
- Whether a roll pin is supplied is not stated on the manufacturer listing
- Fits: Ford 289 / 302 carbureted distributors with a 0.468" gear I.D.
- Listed for MSD distributors 8582, 8579, 8479, 8352, and 8503.
- Gear I.D.: 0.468". Hardened Layer: RC 55-60. Coating: Melonite QPQ.
- Camshaft compatibility is not published by MSD. Match gear material to your camshaft before ordering.
- Emissions: Code 5 — legal on emissions-controlled, uncontrolled, and racing vehicles. Prop 65 warning.
Steel drive gear - special alloy
Gear inside diameter: 0.468 inch
Outer hardened layer: RC 55-60
Interstitial carbide concentration for wear resistance
Micro polished surface
Melonite QPQ coating
Listed for MSD distributors 8582; 8579; 8479; 8352 and 8503
For Ford 289 / 302 carbureted distributors
Listed for MSD distributors 8582; 8579; 8479; 8352 and 8503.
Camshaft compatibility is not published by MSD.
