Is this really needed? i got my new timing chain and the cam gear just hits the bolts for it.

its a 89 305.

 

yes, it's needed. Get a proper timing set.

 

Well this sucks. this chain is for my motor.

 

I suggest the Cloyes Street Roller. It's the only one I offer my customers who are using '87-up SBC blocks. It's that good, and the price is still under $60.

 

I had the same problem with the cloyes gear. I think it was 1157? It was not touching but way to close for trial and error. Anyway I found some shorter headed bolts works fine now.

 

What? The stock bolts are rounded button heads that take a torx bit. If you're not using them, no wonder you're having problems.

 

I dont want to use anything but what was on their.

 

Then you can just keep complaining about having a problem since you don't want to run the proper hardware.

 

Well thanks for the word of confidence but i wasnt referring to my timing chain. i was referring to the guy who said

" It was not touching but way to close for trial and error. Anyway I found some shorter headed bolts works fine now."

I dont want to switch out bolts. I would rather do everything the way gm made it.

 

A previous owner could have changed them. I already told what GM always installed as original equipment. If you can loosen them with a wrench rather than a torx, then they're wrong, and probably have been changed.

 

A buddy recomended a cam button? And to cut the ears off the retaining plate dont use the bolts just keep the plate in stock position and install the cam button?

I heard of a cam button, dont know how good it works, And also dont want to keep wasting time on getting different chans and gears and running into this problem.

Well i figure the original owner was in here before because the crank gear was installed backwards and their was excessive rtv all over the timing chain gasket and timing chain.

 

Sorry to inform you but there is a shorter, round headed torx bolt made. The head is not as thick therefore the clearance was gained. And all cloyes timing gears dont have the same angle pitch some will be closer to the block than others.

 

Right, then a few posts later you write about something your buddy said about a cam button and cutting off ears. COME-ON, MAN! If what's on the engine isn't right, don't re-use it.

The guys have told you that you need the correct bolts for the clearance you need. From GM, they're specifically made for that purpose to bolt on the plate which is absolutely needed to control forward movement of the camshaft.

Make sure the timing chain set you bought is specifically for your engine or you may well have other clearance problems.

Jake

 

It shouldn't be too difficult to find some bolts that clear fine.

If you don't want to go the ghetto route (seeing what works etc) just stroll on down to your local GM parts dealer and pick up the correct torx heads. I personally detest torx bolts and can understand getting rid of them, but if you're worried about clearance than using what came from the factory is prolly best.

 

Yeah i just sent the chain and gears back. and waiting on the new one.

 

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According the Summit it's a GM, factory set designed for the 87-02 Gen 1 305 factory hydraulic roller cam and other engines as well, including the 350.

This over-night soaking in oil is over-kill. There's really no need to soak the chain for that long. Basically all you need to do is leave it soaking in engine oil long enough for oil to soak into all the crevices. It's probably just another one of those things that gets passed around with no supporting science.

Jake

 

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Have you compared the GM part numbers - the one from the Chevy parts guys Vs the one listed on-line? I think you probably already know that GM marks up their parts tremendously.

Just soak it in the same oil that you plan to run in the engine during BREAK-IN. That's the oil environment it'll initially be living in. What you'd want is the additive package that comes in certain engine oils (or regular oil with GM EOS (Engine Oil Supplement available at their parts department) which greatly aids in the break-in of new parts.

There are several different oils recommended for engine break-in. Joe GIBBS Racing sells one that's specially formulated for engine break-in, Valvoline VR1 Racing Oil has the additive package, CompCams sells engine break-in oil, Rotella has the package, Pennzoil Racing Oil, etc., etc. It's the additive package that's the key.

I used Valvoline VR1 Racing Oil, 20w50 for break-in.

Jake

 

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May be just a difference in dealerships, but I've always been able just to ask for the part number and the counter guy would either print it out or just write it down for me. I've dealt with three difference Chevy dealers in the Dallas area and each operated the same way.

In fact, if one parts department didn't have what I wanted sitting on the shelf, the guy would search for the nearest location where the part is. If it's within reasonable driving distance, I'd just drive over there, with the order sheet in hand, and buy it OR if it wasn't, they'd order it shipped to their parts department.

I've done melonized gears, coolant temp sensor, oil pressure switch, etc. that way. Gotta make a friend of your parts counter guy. If that dealership doesn't give out part numbers (which is crazy), just go to another one or file a complaint. Olds or Pontiac may be able to cross-reference what you need.

No need to agonize over this. It's pretty much a no-brainer. Just buy one that is designed specifically for your engine and will fit, oil it and install it. Most think Cloyes sets are better than GM but I don't have any empherical evidence to support that.

No special oil is required but if you're concerned, just use an engine oil that has an additive package, like Valvoline VR1 Racing Oil, etc.

Jake

 

GM Parts Department is my port of last resort. When all else fails I hit the dealership.

If it's something I can't find anywhere else OR something I need RIGHT AWAY, I hit Chevy. Otherwise I use Summit, JEGS, Corvette Central, Ecklers, Mid-America and even my local parts stores like O'Reilly's/AutoZone/NAPA, etc.

After thinking on what you posted, a $30 set wouldn't be my first choice. Just that price alone sets off alarm bells between my ears. Makes me think "Low Quality".

Jake

 

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