NOS Fiber Gear, Rolling the Dice?

[DB26]

Hello everyone. I recently acquired an old NORS fiber gear for my 1926 Dodge Brothers. I’m not going to use it anytime soon, just wanted to have it my parts cabinet. Is there any way to tell if the old fiber has gone bad? It visually looks good to me. Thanks 

 

 

[JFranklin]

What would make it go bad? It says it is endurable as thre Sphinx. I would use it if I needed a gear.

[DB26]

2 minutes ago, JFranklin said:

What would make it go bad? It says it is endurable as thre Sphinx. I would use it if I needed a gear.

Thanks for the input. I agree with you. Although, I wouldn’t be proud of myself if I fell for that slick marketing without questioning it a little haha 

[JACK M]

Just dont store it in the direct sunlight.

[Pete K.]

I used an old NOS fiber timing gear in a straight 6, 1930 Buick MANY years ago, still going strong. Don't worry with yours.

[JFranklin]

Fiber timing gears sometimes get a bad rap due to improper fitting. both it and the crank gear need to be in proper adjustment and both in very good condition. B&D was a reputable concern.

[Mark Gregush]

There are two types of fiber gears; laminated and macerated. Laminated are made of layers of fabric bonded and pressed into shape, macerated is short, chopped fiber that is bonded and pressed into shape. For gears I would choose laminated, they have a better survival rate. Some gears it is easy to tell how they are made. Even with the good photos, I am thinking it is laminated, but not really sure. 

[DB26]

Thanks for the replies everyone! I feel confident in using it if necessary. Into the parts archive it goes.