383 Assembly Mystery
Thread Starter
Racer
Joined: Sep 2004
Posts: 424
Likes: 2
383 Assembly Mystery
I installed my mechanical roller cam, degreed it, set the end play at .004" using a comp cams 2 peice cast aluminum timing cover,all the time rotating the assembly without any trouble. Then I install the Dampener and as I press the balancer home the engine freezes up?? The Dampener is not hitting the timing cover. I check crankshaft end play and the crank moves but acts as though it is spring loaded to the front of the block. I put a puller on the balancer and pull it out one revolution of the puller, the engine spins and the crank end play goes back to nuetral (not spring loaded). I then whack the balancer home with a lead hammer (one or two smacks) and the engine freezes up again??? I remove the dampener and timing cover, inspect everything and there is no evidence of anything hitting. I reassemble everything and the same thing happens!! Does anyone have any idea what is going on ?!?!?!
Burning Brakes
Joined: May 2004
Posts: 1,100
Likes: 3
From: belle plaine ks
bearing trouble
Check to make sure thrust bearing is not damaged. Visual inspection may be required. It is the flanged bearing usually on the rear main. If the dampner is driven on this bearing can be damaged by the crankshaft hitting it.
Thread Starter
Racer
Joined: Sep 2004
Posts: 424
Likes: 2
Thanks for the sugestions. The crankshaft gear is on right, the cam is all the way into the block, I used an installation tool to install the dampener; however when I was investigating the cause I pulled the dampener back one turn of the puller then gave it just two gentle taps with a lead hammer to get it back home. I did this in case the puller caused some kind of internal stress. I pulled the timing cover off again and reinstalled the dampener without the timing cover and the engine turns over fine?? Inspection and measurments indicate that the timing cover is not coming in contact with the timing chain. I will check the thrust bearing but I don't think it was damaged. Again thanks, the resistance on the engine turning over is extream, it does turn slightly, so if it was in contact with the timing cover, marks would be evident. My buddy is coming over today to give me another set of eyes, he is a career mechanic, classroom trained with substantial engine building experiance. But please offer any ideeas you may have.
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