timing chain check for slack

Unknown

How can I check timing chain wear or slack in my 51 Hornet 308 with out taking off the cover?.... I have the manifold and water pump off and will be checking the valve clearence from the top. I think I'll be able see crank rotation to cam the moving at the harmonic balancer... How much is ok.... I am more concerned with the chain "hopping" the actual cam timing.. ...(timing chain hop/skip is one of the problems I remember from our 51 Hornet in the late 50's)

Is there a way to check for the BRASS OIL PUMP DRIVR GEAR, again without taking it apart? and how concerned should I be if it is Steel? I have a timing chain and the Brass Gear.



Thanks Dave



DNN1942@msn.com

[Deleted User]

The way I check for timing chain slack would be to take a socket that fits on the bolt that holds the harmonic balancer with a breaker bar. Just try to move back and forth without jerking it. If theres any slack you'll feel it. Yeh, you can get by with a little movement, but since you've got it pretty much tore down ,I'd replace it if you feel any slack at all. Sorry ,I can't help with the other question. Jim

Unknown

Remove the plugs also. To check the wear in oil pump gear remove the dist. and take a long screw driver that will reach the oil pump and you can feel the slack in gear. Put dist. back in before turning crank shaft.

Clutchguy

DAVEN wrote:

How can I check timing chain wear or slack in my 51 Hornet 308 with out taking off the cover?.... I have the manifold and water pump off and will be checking the valve clearence from the top. I think I'll be able see crank rotation to cam the moving at the harmonic balancer... How much is ok.... I am more concerned with the chain "hopping" the actual cam timing.. ...(timing chain hop/skip is one of the problems I remember from our 51 Hornet in the late 50's)

Is there a way to check for the BRASS OIL PUMP DRIVR GEAR, again without taking it apart? and how concerned should I be if it is Steel? I have a timing chain and the Brass Gear.



Thanks Dave



DNN1942@msn.com

Daven,it makes since to go ahead and make your car very dependible. Install the chain and pump gear since you already have them. Sounds like just a little more work at this point will pay off when it comes to the fun of driving it,just my opinion.

Unknown

Timing chain stretch was common for the Hudson engine. The timing chain stretch lead to link jumps at the cam gear. I do not know of any way you can determine the amounts of stretch without removing the timing cover. Having the proper parts and the engine disassembled to the point you can easily replace the chain prompts me to say... change the chain and the gear. Hudson and others who later raced these engines suggested chain replacement at 40,000 miles or less.

It is impossible to determine if the oil pump has a steel gear without removing the pump from the engine. The STEEL gear is NOT a good thing for cam gear. Unlike the brass gear which is designed to wear out while creating minimum wear on the cam gear. The brass gear has it’s bad points too. If the gear points are allowed to wear thin, they can break off and the pieces be passed into the oil and on to bearing surfaces, DISASTER!

So, your choice, but a new chain and a good brass gear go a long way toward improving your engine reliability and performance.

[Deleted User]

Try this



http://www.misterfixit.com/chanslop.htm



Ron