timing chain/balancer questions

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Jan 22, 2006 | 01:09 PM

texaswilkins

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Drifting

Joined: Sep 2004

Posts: 1,270

Likes: 4

From: Celeste Texas

timing chain/balancer questions

All right guys I need an education. The timing on my 197,000 mile 82 ceasefire is a PITA to adjust. Balancer has slipped a little and I think the chain is loose because the timing is rarely in the same place twice. I was drooling through the Jegs catalog looking at those parts when I decided I don't know enough about them to make an informed decision.
Here are my questions
1. What's a double roller chain set and is that twice as good as a regular one?
2. Is just a basic balancer good enough or do I need the expensive ones?
3. Do I have to drop the oil pan to change the gasket or can I get the pan off with the motor in the car?
4. To do this job do I need more than just those two parts and the water pump/timing cover/oil pan gaskets?

Bill

Jan 22, 2006 | 01:18 PM

big_G

Le Mans Master

Joined: Jul 2005

Posts: 5,752

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From: Austin Texas

Use Sealed Power or other brand name timing set. For the balancer, I like Pioneer. You won't get any benefit with more expensive parts there. You do need to drop the oil pan.

Jan 22, 2006 | 03:16 PM

1Z87L8

Drifting

Joined: Nov 2005

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Quote:

Originally Posted by big_G

Use Sealed Power or other brand name timing set. For the balancer, I like Pioneer. You won't get any benefit with more expensive parts there. You do need to drop the oil pan.

Bill,
im getting ready to do this Job myself and i would recommend a new water pump unless you have replaced it recently. since its already going to be off no use putting the old one back on.

also paint, would be a good time while apart to touch up the front of the engine.

Jan 22, 2006 | 03:54 PM

Eds82

Advanced

Joined: Nov 2001

Posts: 81

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From: Bay Minette ALabama

Double roller timing chain and gears are stronger and help with more accurate timing than the stock set. i went with a Cloyes set. To install the lower seal of the timing chain cover you need only to loossen the oil pan and lower it some to get the seal in.
A basic balancer is all you will need unless producing great amounts of horsepower.
I also recommend replacing the water pump if it is still the old stock unit.
Just my .02

Ed

Jan 22, 2006 | 07:34 PM

lars

Tech Contributor

Joined: Aug 1999

Posts: 14,370

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From: At my Bar drinking and wrenching in Lafayette Colorado

For step-by-step instructions on doing the t-chain replacement, drop me an e-mail request for the Timing Chain paper:
V8FastCars@msn.com
No, you don't need to drop the pan - you can get the t-chain cover yanked out and re-installed with the pan in place.

Jan 22, 2006 | 07:56 PM

MYBAD79

Le Mans Master

Joined: Oct 2004

Posts: 5,269

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From: Orlando Florida

St. Jude Donor '05

There are a few things I'd recommend:

FelPro one piece oil pan gasket
Two piece design timing chain cover
New water pump
Double roller timing chain set (any name brand)

The two piece cover allows you to re-install the oil pan first (with one half of the timing gear cover. Then you can work on the chain and sprockets and install the secon half of the new cover. Next time it will be a piece of cake (if you want to change the cam f.e.)

I had no luck when I tried this without dropping the oil pan.

Balancer ? The standart 'stock replacement' should do it, however some advertize that their's can't slip...

You can get all the parts at the local parts store, it is a relatively inexpensive job

Jan 22, 2006 | 08:22 PM

marshrat99

Melting Slicks

Joined: Aug 2003

Posts: 2,135

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From: Dayton Oh

My .02 on the balancer is to buy one made in the Ole US of A. I didn't check the new one I got from Autozone and the dang machining was junk. I had to run a tap thru the pulley bolt holes ! Of course I didn't check them while I had it on the bench and discovered the problem after I had pressed it back on the crank. Therefore I couldn't pull it back off and had to run the tap with the damper on the engine.

Jan 22, 2006 | 08:40 PM

David Ey

Burning Brakes

Joined: Sep 2004

Posts: 1,167

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From: Ft.Worth Texas

I've never dropped the oil pan to change a timing chain........except when the teeth are shelled off and need to be cleaned out of the pan. Then you MUST remove the pan. In this case the oil pump can be stopped up and the screen needs to be cleaned. If you need to pull the pan you should replace the pump too. Watch that rod that drives the pump which goes up to the dist. With 200K miles you have been lucky not to have jumped timing. Your cam gear must not have plastic covered teeth. I would just replace with a standard chain and gears. Before you remove the old ones rotate the motor by hand until the mark on the crank gear is at 12 and the cam gear is at 6. If they don't line up this way it has jumped timing at some time or other and you corrected for it by moving the dist. When installing the new parts make sure the marks are aligned this way. Like the others have said, replace that water pump too and give the front end a good cleaning and paint.

Get Lar's instructions

and good luck.