i just went to go change the timing chain in my 87 2.8 today. last night i bought a 3 piece set from autozone, and i figured i'd be all set, right? wrong. once i got the cover off, i looked at the tensioner and noticed that the corner piece at the top of the drivers side was BROKEN OFF. a chunk of metal about 1 cm by 1 cm was missing. i'm assuming it's somewhere in my oil pan right now. i called autozone, napa, and my favorite parts store down the street from me, and they all said they don't carry it, probably a dealer only part. so, my question is, my new chain and sprockets are considerably tight. do i really need the tensioner, and if i do, how much do they run for? thanx in advance for some help, cuz i don't have a car til monday if i need that tensioner!

 

Dude, SAME THING happened to me...except my tensioner was totally destroyed. All the pieces were floating around in my timing cover and making all kinds of noise. Nobody carries that part in stock though. I got mine from a dealer for about $10 or $20. But that was at cost. The list price was a little higher.

It took me about 2-3 WEEKDAYS to get the part. You are $hit-out-of-luck trying to find that part on the weekend.

I got screwed because i had to put everything back together, buy the tensioner and ANOTHER chain, wait a week, then do the job ALL OVER AGAIN. I was a little pissed. Save yourself the hassle and find a way to use another car til you get the part. You DON'T want to do it twice.

YES, you NEED the tensioner. When mine broke , the chain streched so much it messed up my timing and the engine ran like crap. I can't believe the chain didn't break. Then, when i drove the car for a week with my new chain and no tensioner, it streched after 7 days.



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-Dan
-1990 3.1L RS
-Mods? no
-Slow? yes
-Currently collecting parts for T5 swap

 

IF you DO NOT FIND THE MISSING PIECES, Don't be upset. I'll tell ya where they are.
The oil pump pick up screen.
When I did the chain on my 1974 Corvette, I was missing teeth of the sprocket. I was also replacing the rear main seal & oil pump & steel shaft for the distB. drive on my Corvette.
ALL the old sprocket teeth were there. ALL OF THEM.
So, my friend, I suggest you drop your pan (you will continue to run low pressure because of stuff on the screen sucking in oil).
Sorry for the news, but it's better to know know. AND I WOULD SUGGEST a new oil pump for your effort!
I discovered thsi on my 1974 Corvette. You're telling us/me, the same symptoms. I planned on dropping my pan.
You will have to now plan that job.
TWO CHOICES.
Hoist engine up & then do the pan/pump job.

Or remove the motor mount bolts and the tranny hold down bolts, jack up both items, same time & you may get lucky with enough clearence to do this job.
I have to swap oil pumps on my 1985 S-10 Blazer & I will do that job the way I just described (lift at tranny & engine).

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Chat Soon,
KED85
Karl
1985 Firebird 2.8 to 3.4 swap project for Smog Happy LA, CA

[This message has been edited by KED85 (edited September 08, 2001).]