oil pump/timing cover project

[Terry Mc]

Hey all,

I'm diving into the front end of the 84 GW this weekend, and I want to ask a couple questions and try to gain some overall knowledge of whats involved. I've got large amounts of oil leaking from the right front engine area happening, and I've already done the valve covers and the rear main seal. Figure it's time to do the oil pump and timing cover. Seems if I'm going to have the timing cover off I might as well change the timing chain.

1. Auto parts clerk offered two sizes of timing chains for a 84 AMC 360. 1/2 and 5/8ths. Is this just a standard Vs HD option>? if not, why the 1/8in difference?

2. I don't have the luxury of pulling the motor to make this easier. Any "Gotcha" type things I should know before I start?

3. Is there any other work I should consider doing with the front end all torn down?

Any advice is welcome!

Thanks!

Terry

[Millerluck]

The trany lines might rap around the front lip of the oil pan. You might need to remove a few bolts that clamp the lines. Then you can get to the 2 very bottom bolts that go up from the bottom into the timing cover.

Put the engine at Top Dead Center ( use timing mark on balancer) by hand, but make sure the distrib rotor is pointing to the #1 plug wires location. Then pull the distrib.

Might be as good a time as any to spring for new water and fuel pumps.

A length of angle iron jamed under one of the lugs on the balancer( after pully is removed) going to the ground works good at keeping the crank from turning when you break the big bolt in the middle loose.

Oh and you will need a puller for getting the balancer off. Don't let the key drop into the oil pan. :rolleyes: remove it before you slide the cover off. Shhhh.

Lastly keep track of where all the bolts and brackets and stuff came from.

Later

Larry Miller

[ November 14, 2002, 07:48 PM: Message edited by: Millerluck ]

[Paul]

When putting the cover back on, loosen the first two or three (or even four) front pan bolts on either side. This will allow the pan to deflect downward a little so you can get the cover lined up on the locating dowels. I struggled with this for an hour before I figured it out. It went on after the first try after I loosened these bolts.

[Rande]

If you have leaks appearing all over the place, you may have internal pressure build up. The PCV valve may be plugged at the valve or somewhere in the tubing. Check that out. Also the oil cap has a filter in it that may be plugged or its tubing may be plugged. Both these devices can relieve pressure in the crankcase. If both are plugged, the pressure has to go somewhere.

[Terry Mc]

Thanks guys,

Rande, I'll check the PVC/oil cap for blockage, PVC is new, but I know that there is some gunk in the filler cap.

Miller, Gotcha on the balancer.

Paul, front oil pan bolts? I think thats what you meant.

How about the timing chain thinkness, anyone got adeas about it? 1/2 or 5/8th?