timing chain replacement

[turbowannabe]

Hey guys,

Well I'm putting a gasket before the turbo due to an exhaust leak and I figured while I'm halfway there I may as well replace the timing chain. The front cover is leaking anyways, and I know everyone talks about how you need to replace these plastic timing chains too. The car just rolled over to 93k and has the mods listed below, I'm told the motor has never been opened up valve covers haven't even been off of it. Which I'm pretty sure that's true since oil leaks out of the front cover, valve covers, rear main, and looks like oil pan too.

Well I'm going to automotive trade school at UTI this summer and will definately be going through the motor and freshening everything up while I'm there. So my question is should I just wait till then to mess with all that stuff, or just do it now and save myself the risk of breaking a timing chain in the next 6 months or so? If I get talked into doing the timing chain now where is the best place to get one really quick(by this week) and what other parts do I need while I'm at it?


thanks
Dan

 

[eiuskoalman]

"everyone talks about how you need to replace these plastic timing chains too"


that must be what broke in your last car, a plastic timing chain. good luck, you gots lots to learn at uti

 

[turbowannabe]

So I meant to put plastic timing chain gear, big deal. I'm sure you don't ever make any mistakes either. Glad to see you took some of your precious time just to try and make a kid look bad.

dan

 

[turbowannabe]

If anyone is interested in giving me some help instead of criticizing me for a simple mistake please let me know. Actual help will be much appreciated.

thanks
Dan

 

[Dan Buick Man]

Removing and installing the front cover is a lot easier when the engine is on a stand then when it is in the car. Less potential for leaking fluids also. I think if you are going to be rebuilding the engine this Summer anyways, you may as well just wait. Unless you are leaking oil (or coolant) really bad. Of course now that I said this your timing chain will fail. I've seen plenty of plastic gears go well in excess of 100k. Good luck. By the way, removing the turbo to install a gasket is only about 1/8th of the way there to pulling the front cover.

 

[turbowannabe]

Thanks a lot Dan. That's all I needed to hear. The oil leak isn't too bad as far as I know, just a decent amount of dirt and grime collected around where it's been leaking. I'm going to spray the engine down really good with engine degreaser and see from there just how bad it really is.

thanks a lot
Dan

 

[scottyb]

180,000 miles.
< $100.00 in parts, including seals and oil pump.
Just some time.
You be the judge:
slack nubs another out of focus -crappy camera

 

[Dan Buick Man]

180,000 miles.
< $100.00 in parts, including seals and oil pump.
Just some time.
You be the judge:

93k right? Good luck at UTI. Some of the better Technicians in the country clear 100k per year depending on where you live. Plus with the shortage of Techs we are currently experiencing now and in the future, you will be able to go wherever you want with shops banging down your door if you are good. One of the most underated and misunderstood occupations out there.

 

[turbowannabe]

well that's almost another 90,000 mile difference, that makes me think I should be fine for another maybe 10,000 miles at the most. I would think that most of the major damage to the gear would be caused during the end of it's life. A tooth chips or something like that and causes excessive wear that just keeps getting worse and worse untill there's no getting by it. That's just one way I look at it. But then again, i'm sure a lot of people have timing gear problems early in their car's life so you never know what's going to happen. I read that really cheap double rollers can be bought from almost any auto store so why not spend a little cash for insurance. I was considering buying the ramchargers billet piece but that's $120!

Yes, I'm planning on kicking some ass at UTI. They have some really good programs to go into after you graduate from the base program. I'm really considering the NASCAR one. I wouldn't mind working at like a dealership or something like that, but I'm really into the performance part of automobiles. Building hotrods would be the best, but I'm not sure how easy it is to get into stuff like that. But like eiuskoalman said " you gots lots to learn at uti" so maybe I'll just be a complete failure and screw everything up.

thanks
Dan

 

[markboss]

My car had 160k on it, when I voluntarily swapped out the timing gear and chain...It had slack in the chain, but with it having a tensioner, it would have lived a lot longer, with no problem...I say leave it in, till you rebuild.....as long as it is not at 200k.....

 

[Roc87]

I had someone do my timing chain replacement for me as well as put on the RJC biggie oil filter adapter and RJC pulleys at the same time. I was running high 12's and didn't want to push the car anymore with the stock long block (Minus valvesprings) at 150k miles. There were around 18 teeth broken on the old gear and the tensioner was worn out (no rubber left). No other changes and I seem to get less KR.