LT4 HD Timing Chain Any Problems with them?
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From: Walton Kentucky
LT4 HD Timing Chain Any Problems with them?
I just spent a ton of money in a motor for my 94. I put an LT4 HD timing chain. I saw a post a while ago with a member having issues with one of the gears wearing prematurely and then I saw a guy selling a motor on ebay describing an issue with a gear on the same type of unit.
Anybody have any experience or know of GM any problems?
Anybody have any experience or know of GM any problems?
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From: Maryland
Originally Posted by tvetta
I just spent a ton of money in a motor for my 94. I put an LT4 HD timing chain. I saw a post a while ago with a member having issues with one of the gears wearing prematurely and then I saw a guy selling a motor on ebay describing an issue with a gear on the same type of unit.
Anybody have any experience or know of GM any problems?
Anybody have any experience or know of GM any problems?
I can't explain what's going on. Two leading theories are 1) some install gremlin 2) the water pump bearing is seizing up, causing the gear to wear way to much.
Most just change to an E pump. LT1 gear sets also don't have this issue.
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From: Walton Kentucky
Originally Posted by sothpaw2
There were about 5 of us between here and Z28 forum whose motors were affected. I think 3 of us had to refurbish the whole motor. If you catch it early you can just clean out the oil pan & timing area & put a diff. set in.
I can't explain what's going on. Two leading theories are 1) some install gremlin 2) the water pump bearing is seizing up, causing the gear to wear way to much.
Most just change to an E pump. LT1 gear sets also don't have this issue.
I can't explain what's going on. Two leading theories are 1) some install gremlin 2) the water pump bearing is seizing up, causing the gear to wear way to much.
Most just change to an E pump. LT1 gear sets also don't have this issue.
Le Mans Master
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From: Myrtle Beach SC
St. Jude Donor '05-'06
The water pump is not the issue.it is the tensil strength of the gears if I remember right.Not every one has problems but it is something if I were you to keep and eye on while you break it in.
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From: Walton Kentucky
I will keep an eye on it but has anyone ever approached General motors on this. If not, how does one do so?
They have to keep track of quality issues like this and have to provide corrective actions.
They have to keep track of quality issues like this and have to provide corrective actions.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Feb 1999
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From: South Carolina
St. Jude Donor '03 & '05
I think allot comes down to installation. The water pump gear, the two oil holes that "feed" the gears from the lifter valley(or is that three hole, three plugs). There was a lengthy discussion about a month ago, and there was allot of great ideas/thoughts that came up.
http://forums.corvetteforum.com/show....php?t=1251482
http://forums.corvetteforum.com/show....php?t=1251482
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Safety Car
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From: Maryland
Originally Posted by tvetta
I put in a new water pump so should I have no problems or is the timing chain causing the water pump bearing to sieze?
The gears I have measured were soft, both new ones I ordered, a 1996 LT4 gear, and my failed gear. Since the 1996 LT4 set works for everyone and most do not even have a problem with the ED set, I am lead to believe that the LT4 & ED sets are crappy designs but they should still work, something else is pushing them over the line.
If you have this installed I would simply suggest watching your drain plug and also, cut your oil filter up every change to ensure that there is no metal being picked up-not even small shards, no trace.
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Joined: Sep 2002
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From: Maryland
Originally Posted by tvetta
I will keep an eye on it but has anyone ever approached General motors on this. If not, how does one do so?
They have to keep track of quality issues like this and have to provide corrective actions.
They have to keep track of quality issues like this and have to provide corrective actions.
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From: Walton Kentucky
Originally Posted by sothpaw2
Let me know if you know who the heck to approach at GM. I have not attempted it.
No one is going to listen to you unless there is concrete proof.
My mechanic has installed some and has never had a problem with them and he said he has never heard of such a thing.
This guy eats and sleeps vettes and works for a dealership and his job is only working on vettes.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Feb 1999
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From: South Carolina
St. Jude Donor '03 & '05
Originally Posted by Strick
I think I remember reading about a batch of gears that were not hardened correctly. The problem is how do you know if you have one from that batch?
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From: Mexico Beach FL
Originally Posted by Strick
I think I remember reading about a batch of gears that were not hardened correctly. The problem is how do you know if you have one from that batch?
If it is true and Cloyes is aware of it and Cloyes makes the ED timing set, I would think Cloyes would bend over backwards to correct it for those who can send them gears that aren't hardened correctly.
Tom Piper
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From: Maryland
Originally Posted by Strick
I think I remember reading about a batch of gears that were not hardened correctly. The problem is how do you know if you have one from that batch?
Any one have an ED cam gear out of the motor with 25-30 k mi on it that I can test? If it's harder and it works, then that's the story.
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From: Walton Kentucky
Originally Posted by Tom Piper
It would be interesting to see that article.
If it is true and Cloyes is aware of it and Cloyes makes the ED timing set, I would think Cloyes would bend over backwards to correct it for those who can send them gears that aren't hardened correctly.
Tom Piper
If it is true and Cloyes is aware of it and Cloyes makes the ED timing set, I would think Cloyes would bend over backwards to correct it for those who can send them gears that aren't hardened correctly.
Tom Piper
Sending me a new gear that cost them $10 doesn't cut it. I have $5000 in a motor plus installation. IF this has been identified then when were changes implemented? What was there recall procedure.
Heck to change out this gear alone will be $600 at least from a garage.
Then there are those that lost total motors.
Last edited by tvetta; Jan 6, 2006 at 06:10 PM.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Feb 1999
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From: South Carolina
St. Jude Donor '03 & '05
Originally Posted by tvetta
If Cloyes is aware of this then this a major product liability issue.
Sending me a new gear that cost them $10 doesn't cut. I have $5000 in a motor plus installation. IF this has been identified then when were changes implemented? What was there recall procedure.
Heck to change out this gear alone will be $600 at least from a garage.
Sending me a new gear that cost them $10 doesn't cut. I have $5000 in a motor plus installation. IF this has been identified then when were changes implemented? What was there recall procedure.
Heck to change out this gear alone will be $600 at least from a garage.
Last edited by steve40th; Jan 6, 2006 at 06:14 PM.
