Double roller timing chain setup vs. timing gear drive setup

[bull]

First off I don't know if it's possible to even find and purchase a timing drive set for a 383 so this discussion might be moot as far as my rebuild is concerned but in general I'm curious what the opinion is here on gear timing setups compared to chain setups? Is there a noise level difference? Is there a huge price difference? Is there a quality/realiability difference?

[Ghoste]

Noisier, almost like an underhood blower, huge price difference (100's of dollars), as for quality and reliability, they are rock solid for cam timing and they don't stretch.  Flip the coin and the noise isn't unbearable to some and even desirable to some others.  The price is one of those areas where we take it in the pooper for liking Mopars.  Chevy guys can get them fairly reasonable, a buddy of mine has one in his Camaro (go figure).  As for cam timing and chain stretch, the double roller has worked pretty well for millions of miles, yes they stretch eventually but how many have you had to change before a regular rebuild anyway?
If I wanted the cool whine sound or race car perfect timing I might think about them but for my street car, I'm not worried about needing to spend the money for a gear drive. 

[firefighter3931]

I've had good luck with the Comp timing sets....not even remotely interested in a gear drive. 



Ron

[moparstuart]

gear drive very noisey and annoying to me   

[Rolling_Thunder]

gear drives are noisy - also one magazine did a test and a regular chain actually made more power than a gear drive...   not by much but still more.

[bull]

Well that's an easy decision. I like it that way.