Well Im pulling out of a side street, and I'm in first gear @ about 2000 rpms getting ready to shift (not hot rodding or anything) and all of a sudden I hear a BAM and she dies. I coast to a stop, and try and crank her over, and she just cranks and cranks and cranks. Well I was on a hill so I make sure there is no traffic, and coast back to the street where I come from.

I call my dad and he says he'll be there shortly to tow me home. He has me turn over the motor while hes there, and he says its turning over really easy. I noticed that my gauge didn't read any oil pressure. He said its possible that the distributor shaft broke (would explain no spark and oil pressure). Anyways after finals I came home and started my diagnostics. I checked for spark at the coil and plug. There was spark at the coil and none at the rotor, which was kind of weird. I then took off the cap, and tryed to turn the rotor by hand, didn't move. That eliminates the broken distributor. With the cap off, I turned over the engine, the rotor did NOT turn. So Im thinking (hoping only) its the Timing chain.

My question for you guys is if my timing chain is broke, is there a gear drive for the 3.1L V6. (also if you guys have any idea what might be wrong if its not the timing chain, and you better not say cam shaft )

 

I did find a gear drive for the 6/60, but it is not recommended for computer controlled cars. Dunno why. I also forget what company, but I am thinking cloyes(made not far from me).

If it cranks, and dizzy doesnt spin, I would think timing chain too. Bad part is, getting all the shavings outta the oil pan so it doesnt get sucked up into the motor.

 

Well, I took a look at that gear drive, and I'd love to get it, but I remember hearing before that the noise it creates makes the computer think theres a knock.

Anyways:


Woohoo, haha. That baby is going in my display case.

 

Wow, Ive heard of the chain breaking, but this is the first cam wheel Ive heard of. It dosent even look that old...

 

Ive fixed one like that on a boat for a 4.3l.

Cam still spins freely?

Stick one of them magnetic finders down in the oil pan from the TC opening, and wiggle it around.

 

When I took the timing cover off, I did notice that there were no bolts holding the tensioner in place (Im guessing that they both somehow backed out?? Still not understanding this one) so its VERY possible the bolt caused the damage. Cam spins, but I can still feel the pressure of the valve springs. Everywhere I read says that the 3.1L is a non interference motor, so nothing should be bent (keeping my fingers crossed + toes).

 

Working on her an hour or two a night is taking longer then I expected, but thats alright.

New delema, I dropped the oilpan, and was ready to install the new one. My dad was looking over the "new" one (not really, its the pan from my old engine) and by the rear seal it looked like something rubbed and wore a hole into the pan! Now Im panless. I checked summit, and they didn't have any pans. Anyone know where to get an oil pan?

 

Wrecking yard?

 

ebay u can find NOS oil pan's there cheap

 

I'm about to chunk a 3.4l pan.

otherwise, car-part.com

 

3.4 pan exactly the same? How much?