Timing chain play

[keanej]

The engine has been chucking out oil for ages now so have finally got around to replacing the front pully oil seal, and at the same time will fit a oil pump extension and new water pump.

What a job that is turning out to be, most of the water pump bolts have snapped, one that goes through the pump & timing cover to the block was so tight I thought that would snap as well but it came out thank god. The power steering pump bracket bolts under the petrol pump where also difficult to get at - does it really need that many ?

Any way its off now, one thing I did notice is the timing chain seems to have a lot of play - more than 1/2 inch but not quite 3/4 - is that too much ?. Otherwise the cogs/pully wheels look OK.

 

[harveyp6]

TBH while it's all apart, and bearing in mind the fact that the chain and cam gear do wear, and the damage that can result when they do if the chain jumps, and the fact that a new chain and gears isn't all that expensive anyway, I'd fit new while it's apart to save pulling it all apart again later.

 

[westOz74P6B]

would reccomend an upgrade to a roller chain and steel gear wheel set (ie steel crankshaft and camshaft gears). I noticed my standard chain had a lot of play while I had the fuel pump off for o/haul. (Sydneyrover has commented on the benifits of this upgrade in another post)
And yes I found the two bolts under the fuel pump holding the power steering pump bracket a pain, especially the lower one, what I did while my bracket was off was to slot the lower bolt hole and fit the bolt first and the bracket just slots into place, I did'nt slot the top bolt but this could be done as well, and would say these bolts are needed but I did cut down my bracket at the water pump bolts and cut away the tube extension and have mine held at the pivot bolt and adjusting bolt (as the bracket does seem a bit over engineered) can supply a pic if interested

new roller chain and steel (CNC machined) gear wheel set

Regards,