My freind gave me a Pete Jackson gear drive timing set for my 350.( slightly used) I have a couple questions. 1- which side does the large idler gear go on? Are there special shoulder bolts to bolt it to the cam? The holes in the cam gear are about 3/8 and the standard cam bolts are 5/16. Some one told me to drill small holes in the oil gally plugs for lubrication...is this true?

Thanks

If you are looking at the front of the engine with the engine in the correct side up. The idler has a gear with a longer shaft (sticking out the back) that gear goes to your right. No, there are not special shoulder bolts. There are bushings that go on the pin that's pressed in the cam. There are different bushings (offsets) for degreeing the cam in you want to degree it in. If you do not have these bushings and plan to use the gear drive let me know, I think I have a few laying around. You do not "need" to grill the extra holes, but it doesn't hurt either it's a matter of personal preference. I have run quite a few engines with gear drives and I do not drill these holes.

If you do use the gear drive I recommend using an aluminum cover or reinforcing a steel cover. The reason for this is to keep the idler from walking around. The typical stamped steel cover flexes too much.

Thanks..If I get you right, the shaft that sticks out goes up against the block. Right?

Thanks again

Yes, the shaft goes towards the block. Sorry I should have mentioned that.