What happened here?

[KYJ10]

I was heading up a small hill, running great. As soon as I went to 3rd, she coughed, stumbled and died. Wont restart, just kinda coughs and pings. I started looking for gaskets blown out or vacuum problems and none visible. But did find that the very back of my valve cover gasket has been blown out. When I blow into the oil filler tube, tons of air comes out the back of that vavle cover. And it appears that when cranking it, I have zero oil pressure. Did I just blow a head gasket or a valve? Im sure it's bad. Thanks Dennis

[Crazy_Jeepman]

Check for the basics, Spark & Gas. An engine will run with out valve covers, however you should fix the gasket as I imagine it leaks bad. Ignition module could be the problem, or a bad cap, I would be inclined to check on the fuel and spark then be sure the timming chain has not jumped. Start with that.

[porchpiggy]

Yeah, I'm thinking the timeing chain skipped or even broke. But CJM is right, start with checking for spark and fuel.

[KYJ10]

Im sure the gas is fine. And mechanically it sounds fine when cranking. Im leaning to the MSD going out. How can you check if the timing chain has jumped?

[Stuka]

If it only jumped one tooth chances are it just wont run very well if at all...as the valve timing will be out. If it jumped more then 2 teeth your vavles will say hello to the piston and make a awefull racket.

[KYJ10]

What if it broke all together? If it broke, Im assuming the distributor will not turn when cranking?

[KYJ10]

Also, do you have to replace both sprockets when doing a chain, or if they look ok, can be reused?

[blt2krl]

I have heard that when the chain breaks on the AMC V8 motors it usually takes out the distributor. So I hope it just skipped a tooth.

[davez26]

Always check for spark and fuel first, is there fuel to the carb, and are the plugs producing spark @ the plug? If the timing chain is broke, the distributor will not turn, because it is driven by the cam which is driven by the timing chain. Oil pump is driven off of the bottom of the distributor as well. I have no idea if I even develop oil pressure when cranking. Timing chains and sprockets should always be replaced as a matched set. They develop wear pattern that will soon transfer to the new parts. A timing set is not all that much. I like the double rollers, they are not supposed to wear as fast.

[KYJ10]

will it hurt to crank it if the chain is broken?

[Stuka]

as long as the chain is bound up in there. In which case I dont think it is since you have turned it over without any grinding noises, which would be audible.

Pull the cap and have somebody turn it over while looking..pretty easy way to see if the chain broke.

[KYJ10]

If it just jumped teeth, how can you tell? And if so, does it jump because its worn,(either the chain or sprocket)? Thanks Dennis

[Stuka]

the chain will jump when its to stretched.

If it just jumped a tooth then it will run either very bad or not run at all really, as the valve timing will be out, so they wont open and close at the correct time. If it jumped several teeth, the valves will say hello tot he pistons as I stated above.

[Crazy_Jeepman]

I believe the AMC V8 is a non interference engine the valves open when piston at TDC will not make contact with the valves, so you should be safe there. Find # 1 plug wire on distributor cap and keep its position in mind, index it to something you will be able to align it with when cap is off. Remove # 1 spark plug hold finger over the spark plug hole and turn engine over by hand, when you feel the compression against your finger, watch the timing mark on the harmonic balancer and set it to TDC on the timing cover. Then lift Distributor cap of and see if the rotor is pointing where the #1 wire on the cap would be. If it is not then it could be the chain has Jumped or the distributor drive gear has striped or sheared the pin. Turn engine over some more by hand see of rotor is turning if it is not I would suspect distributor troubles.