Timing Set
07-08-2004, 05:58 PM
#1
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Car: 1988 Pontiac Trans Am
Engine: 383 Stroker
Transmission: T-5
Axle/Gears: Borg Warner 9-Bolt, with 3.42 Gears
Timing Set
Hey everyone i am swapping my cam this weekend and i wanted to know what timing set you guys recomend? I went to Advanced Discount Auto Parts and they said there are two types and that i have to bring in the old one. Can anyone help.
07-09-2004, 09:10 AM
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I install the cheapest priced item I can find, that includes NEW GEARS.
Last Item I installed was $28
MANDATORY
TENSIONER - (MAYBE ONLY GM DEALER ITEM) but is mandatory (except with a double roller chain as it won't fit) ($10)
Balancer snout repair sleeve ($4). Restores tolerences and helps prevent a leak & is cheap insurance, too.
New water pump & thermo stat & double check hoses upon reattachment. Maybe invest in new hoses, too.
($20-pump,$15-stat,hoses $20-ish)
I invest the saved name brand timing chain money on "low maintenance security items"
Enjoy your new cam.
Last Item I installed was $28
MANDATORY
TENSIONER - (MAYBE ONLY GM DEALER ITEM) but is mandatory (except with a double roller chain as it won't fit) ($10)
Balancer snout repair sleeve ($4). Restores tolerences and helps prevent a leak & is cheap insurance, too.
New water pump & thermo stat & double check hoses upon reattachment. Maybe invest in new hoses, too.
($20-pump,$15-stat,hoses $20-ish)
I invest the saved name brand timing chain money on "low maintenance security items"
Enjoy your new cam.
07-11-2004, 06:08 PM
#4
Senior Member
Karl,
Why is the tensioner mandatory? I replaced my timing chain at 275,000 miles. Tensioner was cracked in several spots. I pulled it off and threw it a way. I didn't have time to wait for the dealer to order a new one. I am now at 300,000 miles (gueess it is time to do the chain agin) and have had no problems with out it.
I don't understand the need for the tensioner. It's a timing chain not a timing belt. A chain will break before it can streach far enough to jump a tooth. A jumped tooth is normally caused by worn gears and the tensioner wont be able to stop it from happening.
Why is the tensioner mandatory? I replaced my timing chain at 275,000 miles. Tensioner was cracked in several spots. I pulled it off and threw it a way. I didn't have time to wait for the dealer to order a new one. I am now at 300,000 miles (gueess it is time to do the chain agin) and have had no problems with out it.
I don't understand the need for the tensioner. It's a timing chain not a timing belt. A chain will break before it can streach far enough to jump a tooth. A jumped tooth is normally caused by worn gears and the tensioner wont be able to stop it from happening.
07-11-2004, 10:15 PM
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Flip it around,
Your tensioner was cracked because it was doing it's job of holding chain "in line".
I hear ya on quick availability & such but
on my 3.4 in the Firebird, I feel the need to have a new one in there.
I'm going so far as to remove my newer used timing gear stuff with "few miles on it (like 20,000 miles or so) & replace with new chain, including the new tensioner I obtained.
I neglected to install a new tensioner or a balancer snout sleeve during my 3.4 swap into the Firebird. I included those parts in my Blazer 3.4 swap project.
I have a (Firebird) oil leak at the 3.4 balancer area & I fear for early "wear on the chain" due to usage of used tensioner. Yes new seals were used in the 3.4 swap project
I want my engine to last a very long time.
I BELEIVE IF GM could have eliminated the tensioner (for cost purposes) they certainly would have.
I bow to the "engineer" who insisted tensioner money be spent.
That person must surely know the true mechanical reason.
Your tensioner was cracked because it was doing it's job of holding chain "in line".
I hear ya on quick availability & such but
on my 3.4 in the Firebird, I feel the need to have a new one in there.
I'm going so far as to remove my newer used timing gear stuff with "few miles on it (like 20,000 miles or so) & replace with new chain, including the new tensioner I obtained.
I neglected to install a new tensioner or a balancer snout sleeve during my 3.4 swap into the Firebird. I included those parts in my Blazer 3.4 swap project.
I have a (Firebird) oil leak at the 3.4 balancer area & I fear for early "wear on the chain" due to usage of used tensioner. Yes new seals were used in the 3.4 swap project
I want my engine to last a very long time.
I BELEIVE IF GM could have eliminated the tensioner (for cost purposes) they certainly would have.
I bow to the "engineer" who insisted tensioner money be spent.
That person must surely know the true mechanical reason.
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