Timing Chain

AA wrote:

Yeah, but we're always finding things out we didn't know, and threads like this one make me wonder some:

http://www.a-body.net/forums/showthread.php?2131-Timing-gear-repair-LG3-3-8-SFI-1987-Century

Verrrry In-tah-rest-ing... (with a WWII Nazi accent.)

I suppose we could take comfort in the fact that most of our engines are supercharged units with low compression...

That may be true, but I sure worry for those NA folks...

I had the sprocket brake on my 87 lesabre with a 3.8. Back then they used nylon gears in those damn things, so it was a matter of time before It failed. I am pretty sure this is not an interfence engine. All I had to do was put a new chain and sprockets in, and she fired right up. I think the later 3.8s did away with those nylon sprockets.

Well fellas the 3800 in the stock format is a freewheel n engine until you change the valve springs and rockers.
As for changing the timing set the rule of thumb for the 3.8 naturally aspirated engine is 200k and they are a piece of cake to do anyone getting ready to do this let me know and I can give you some insights as I just got done doing mine. I didn't have to do it as of yet cause I only have 50k on the car but I had a bad oil leak in the timing chain cover and had to take the front of the motor apart and as long as I am there I changed everything.

I'm getting ready to do mine soon. Did you get any pictures?

I may be doing mine soon as well because doing it seems to be what has fixed this P0341 code, if all else fails, for several mechanics working on these cars. Pictures would be helpful!

I didn't take pic but it isn't to bad to do, the main thing is getting the harmonic balance r off you have to have the right puller and most people don't have it so you need to go to a parts store and borrow one, once you get that off then you have to take the alt out of the way and then take the pwr str pump out of the way, I just moved it down and close to the firewall and then take off the two pulleys well for the 95s anyway and then the two tensioners and then take off the bracket that holds the alt and pwr str pump, once the bracket is out of the way then take your two heater hoses off and the radiator hose off and then go around the cover and remove all of the bolts, Oh and I forgot there is a bolt that comes in from the rear of the pwr str pump that you have to get ,and it is right above the oil sending unit once you do all that and remove the oil pan the cover will come right out, and don't forget to be careful with the crank sensor, you have to unplug that and the cam sensor.

you also have to use a engine lift or a overhead hoist to hold your motor up cause you have to remove the front motor mount and you have to lift up pretty good to cause you have remove the bracket that the motor mount mounts to and in order to get it out you need the clearance.

AA wrote:

I'm getting ready to do mine soon. Did you get any pictures?

sorry I didn't think about taking any pic [
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how do you get images off your pc.

In the Board FAQ tab at the top, there is some info about uploading images.