Timing Chain or Distributor?

[Franklinstein]

Last Friday, I went out in the morning and fired up old Franklinstien, let it warm while i went back in and fed the dogs . While in the house i heard it shut off...went back out and tried to start it...It just cranked and occasionally back fired but wouldnt run. Didnt have time to play with it over the week end but found that when cranking over the engine, the rotor on the distributor wouldnt turn or rather would turn every once ina while. So what do you guys think should be the first thing i should look at? broken timing chain or possible ditributor gear shear?

[skid2964]

Since the rotor does still turn occaisionally, I would think it would be distributor related. If the timing chain had failed, I dont think anything would turn at all.

[carrotman]

Hopefully, the bolt holding down the distributer is loose and the dizzy was pushed up, or the tab holding the rotor in place broke. But if your luck is like mine, something happened to the dizzy gears. I guess the timing chain could break, but if it did the dizzy wouldn't turn at all since it runs off the cam. You should pull up the dizzy and check.

[Franklinstein]

Thanks Guys, I'm gunna yank the Dizzy tonight. Hard hard is it to replace the gear? Hate to think i gotta get a new Dizzy as the one in it is just a little over a year old. But, i suppose it beats replacing the Timing chain.

[skid2964]

A roll pin holds it on. With a hammer and a drift punch, the job is very easy. Hopefully the pin worked its way out and the gear is slipping. that would be the best scenario for the reason it failed. Otherwise, there may be a more serious problem that was the cause.

[1studiac]

Besides I dont think it would even back fire if the timing chain were broke, it would turn over really fast with a sound like it has no compression. Atleast thats been my experience

[Poley]

well I just took off and repalce the timing cover and Broke one of them(those things a FRAGILE)

[Bobbo]

Heh I am in the middle of a timing chain replacement. Sounds like my story. My distributor got pushed up and broke the gear on the dizzy, so I was paranoid that I would have gear pieces in my timing cover, but I didn't! But my timing chain was VERY loose so I am glad I pulled it apart!

[Franklinstein]

Update! Finally got the Dizzy yanked. The gear on the bottom of the shaft was chewed on on side. Looking down in the hole I can see the gear that drive the distributor and it looks fine. (Tip...dont buy the distributor wrench kit they sell at Checkers...its a piece of crap!) Anyway, spent some time in the bone yard and searched 6 different Wagoneers for a replacement...of course all the engines were striped down to the block. So, called around town and finaly found that Checkers (kinda like Schucks) had one. With a turn in of the old Dizzy and (heres another tip, all you military guys, you get a 10 % discount if you show your ID card) I got the new one for $54.00. Now i have the fun of getting #1 cylinder to TDC and getting the Dizzy lined up with #1 and getting the oil pump gear lined up as well. With a little luck and a lot of cussing, i should have old Franklinstien back on the road today! :D :D

[jode]

Originally posted by Bobbo:
I was paranoid that I would have gear pieces in my timing cover, but I didn't!Yeah - the pieces are probably down the in the oil pan.

[Franklinstein]

Bad News!!!!!!! :( Put the new dizzy in, got it running and timed just great...Drove about 500 feet. BANG!!! Huge backfire...it died...had to tow it back to the house...pulled the Dizzy out and guess what...Friggin gear was chewed off!!! AAAARRRRRRRGGGGGGG!!!!!!!!!!

[jeepsr4ever]

you need to replace the gears as a set, replacing the dizzy gear when you already have a worn out cam gear will only cause rapid wear on the new dizzy and voila breakage...start over

[Bobbo]

Originally posted by jode:
</font><blockquote>quote:</font><hr />Originally posted by Bobbo:
I was paranoid that I would have gear pieces in my timing cover, but I didn't!Yeah - the pieces are probably down the in the oil pan.</font>[/QUOTE]Well, that is why I dont have it together yet, I am pulling the pan. Originally posted by jeepsr4ever:
you need to replace the gears as a set, replacing the dizzy gear when you already have a worn out cam gear will only cause rapid wear on the new dizzy and voila breakage...start overThat is why I am doing the whole works!
Also doing water pump, oil pump, timing chain, whew! I need to get to work!