500/501 steel gear and SS pinion

[suitekids]

I was wondering if any of you stately gentleman have ever replaced the pinion from your original 500/501. In my particular case my old 4:1 steel main gear under magnification is still without wear but the ss pinion gear shows some rounding/hollowing of the gear face. I realize that these are in most cases a matched set after break-in. The steel gear has no visible wear still like new actually, but that pinion imho should be replaced, I looked at scotts penn parts and the original part for the pinion has been replaced by another number, will the new style match the the old steel main gear angle??? I would like to keep the steel gear and not change to the brass/bronze newer style. Has anyone tried this yet?? thanks for your help....Dan

[alantani]

it does not take much wear to make a gear rumble.  brand new is the best way to go.  been there, done that.