The next while-you're-at-it is are you satisfied with the performance? You are over half way to changing the cam! 
Timing chain..should I replace it?
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Joined: Mar 2013
Posts: 72
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From: New York
Timing chain..should I replace it?
Hi all,
I have to change the harmonic balancer and crankshaft seal on my engine because the balancer has slipped backwards from heat/age and the crank seal leaks oil like crazy. I am going to change the timing cover gasket and oil pan gasket too so that way most known lower leak points are taken care of. My question is should I bother to change the timing chain when I have the timing cover removed? I know that timing chains stretch with age and I am probably never going to have the balancer and timing cover removed again so I was wondering if this is a good time to change the chain or just leave it alone? Car is an 81 with 60,100 miles. Chains are relatively inexpensive and it seems like it would be a pretty easy straightforward job to change it out so I was just wondering if I should bother. Thanks for any input!
-Joe
I have to change the harmonic balancer and crankshaft seal on my engine because the balancer has slipped backwards from heat/age and the crank seal leaks oil like crazy. I am going to change the timing cover gasket and oil pan gasket too so that way most known lower leak points are taken care of. My question is should I bother to change the timing chain when I have the timing cover removed? I know that timing chains stretch with age and I am probably never going to have the balancer and timing cover removed again so I was wondering if this is a good time to change the chain or just leave it alone? Car is an 81 with 60,100 miles. Chains are relatively inexpensive and it seems like it would be a pretty easy straightforward job to change it out so I was just wondering if I should bother. Thanks for any input!
-Joe
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Joined: Apr 2013
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From: London Ontario
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Joined: Aug 1999
Posts: 14,375
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From: At my Bar drinking and wrenching in Lafayette Colorado
I can't think of a single reasonable argument to not change the timing chain and gears (both gears). If you e-mail me a request for my Timing Chain tech paper, it will give you the correct way to align the gear dots, and a method for removing the crank gear easily without using a puller. 
Lars
V8FastCars@msn.com
Lars
V8FastCars@msn.com
2026 Loser of the Year
Joined: Sep 2013
Posts: 36,573
Likes: 7,017
From: New Or-leens Loo-z-anna
I can't think of a single reasonable argument to not change the timing chain and gears (both gears). If you e-mail me a request for my Timing Chain tech paper, it will give you the correct way to align the gear dots, and a method for removing the crank gear easily without using a puller.
Lars
V8FastCars@msn.com
Lars
V8FastCars@msn.com
jso789...............Lars trapped you like a rat!
You've got to change it now that he's ready to send you the info.
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