As a fan of the Renault Frégate, you know better than anyone that the distribution gear is the Achilles heel of the engine. That is originally made of plastic.
After a service period of half a century, the gearwheel sometimes bursts apart. The consequences are then disastrous. The French Frégate Club has had such gears copied. Made from a special kind of hard aluminum. Makes more noise, but does not flop anymore. For sale from 70 euros plus shipping. Further information: www.fregate-renault.org. Incidentally, the Goelette, Galion and various stationary engines were also equipped with such a plastic gear at the time ...