I replaced the long block in my 88 IROC (originally a hydraulic roller) with an '84 hydraulic flat tappet 350. I put in a Comp 262 cam that has a cast iron distributor gear. 1 person at Comp said that I need to replace the distribtutor gear with a cast or bronze one and another person at Comp said I would be fine with the one that I have. He said to look at the gear, and if it was a dark gray it was cast (good) and if it was shiny it was hardened steel (bad) I looked, and it does appear to be cast (dark gray)....so my question is, does anyone know for sure what material was used on the distributor gear of an 88 IROC (TPI 305)...I would just go out and buy a cast one, except 88 had a unique dist. shaft diameter (.427") and no one makes a cast gear for it, so I would have to buy a whole new HEI distributor.  

The factory used the same old gear with a treatment called Melonizing to run against the steel cam gear. Using that gear with a cast iron cam should not cause you any problems.

Bogie

Thanks for the help! That was the answer I was hoping for!