Question about DUI distributor gear

[DCJ79]

I am in the process of installing a DUI distributor in my '79 CJ5 with the AMC 304 V8. I've searched the internet quite a bit and have read about all of the issues regarding hardened distributor gears on numerous HEI setups causing premature wear of the cam gear. It appears that DUI offers different options for the gear material but mine is stock with a steel gear. I'm hoping to hear from those of you who have installed DUI's. Did you replace any gears during installation, and if not did you come across any problems with premature wear of the cam gear in the engine? DUI seems to be top notch from what I've read and most of the issues on the internet seem to stem from other HEI clones but I still have my concerns. Thanks for any info.

 

[Jimbos76cj]

There's 2 ways to make sure your. It gonna had any gear issues.

#1 bulltear sells New cam and distributor gears. Replace them both so you have a new matched set. but that will run you a couple of hundred dollars for the gaskets and gear set and timing chain.. You don't need to replace it but since you have it off it wouldn't hurt.

#2 The cheap way really good way. On you stick distributor there is a roll pin holding the gear on. You can carefully remove the roll pin from both your old and new distributor and swap em. This way your still running the matched gears even though you have a new dizzy. The only issue that arrises with this method is depending one who makes the distributor the shaft might not be the same size. If that was the case you can have a bushing turned by any decent machine shop that will make them fit together. If you cant get a bushing made then you put the gears back on the dizzy they came off of, install the new one and pray for the best.

For me I would go with #2.

Are you going to wire it through a relay?

 

[Incommando]

I used method #2 as I did not install a new cam when I upgraded to HEI.

 

[DCJ79]

Thats a good idea and I thought about just swapping the old and new distributor gears. I was just wondering if anyone specifically had trouble with the DUI setup. It sounds like the most cost effective method so I will try that route.

Jimbo, yes I plan on wiring it through a 30 amp relay. First time doing this however so I'm open to suggestions.

 

[Jimbos76cj]

If I can find the link to a realy good relay I'll post it. The relay is pretty easy to set up. Get your 12v power from the battery or hot side of the starter selinoid, which ever is easier to hook into. The ground I would run back to the battery. If you go through your wiring harness before you rip out the ignition module you can find the keyed hot wire and use that for switch to turn the relay on.

 

[DCJ79]

Thanks for the advice Jimbos! This Jeep is a long term project for me and a lot of this stuff I am learning on my own from the wealth of info people like you provide on here.

 

[Jimbos76cj]

Thanks for the advice Jimbos! This Jeep is a long term project for me and a lot of this stuff I am learning on my own from the wealth of info people like you provide on here.

No problem.. Jeeps are always a long term project. Glad to see that you are doing the work yourself it's very rewarding when some one asks you "who did your lift or who installed part x" and you say "I did". I learned about jeeps the same way you are and by taking them apart. Just make sure if some one tells you a great idea like doing a spring over for a lift you also play devils advocate and look for reasons why not to do one.. Don't just jump at the first good idea that pops up. There are a just as many bad ideas out there as there are good.. You just have to weed through the . It never hurts to throw a what if I ??? Question out on a forum like this, chances are at least a few have had the same idea and some insight on it.