So its been a couple weeks since I started my water pump to rear main seal project and I thought I'd post some pics and an update. Overall the project has gone smooth, really smooth. Things were pretty dirty and grimey, but no major problems during the tear down. Nothing busted, stripped or otherwise threw a monkey wrench into the works. I've been taking my time, cleaning, tagging and bagging everything for easy re-assembly. The only real issues I've had so far were some new parts that were close, but required some exchange.
Under the "very glad I did this" column are the timing chain and oil pan.
The timing chain was the original and surprisingly the plastic coated cam gear was in still one piece. It was showing a bit of age and had a few cracks in it so I'm glad it's outta there. The chain itself was the worst part - as a result of gear wear, chain stretch or both, it had a strong 1/2" of play on each side. Bye bye Mr. chain !!
The oil pan was the other part of the "glad I did this". The pick-up screen was pretty gritty and there was about 1/4" of gray "bubble gum" sludge in the bottom of the pan. New pick-up installed and pan nice and clean, I also was able to carefully tap out a few dents in the oil pan before a coat of paint.
So now it's time for the new chain and gears, Comp Cams 3100 true roller. Fit like a glove and I've got to say some pretty serious engineering went into getting that wider chain and gears under the stock TC cover. I got out the calipers and the calculator several times to make sure it was going to clear both the block and cover.
As part of the clean-up effort I removed the fuel pump. It certainly looks original, but I need to do some research into the PN number I found. Anyone got AC fuel pump part number ID codes ?? Removing the fuel pump also made replacement of the RH motor mount much easier. With some clean up and new motor mounts on both sides I could actually see where my new plug wires needed to be routed up to the forward plugs.
Here's a shot of the the top end with TC back on, plug wires routed and PS pump cleaned and ready to go. Just waiting for the return of my harmonic balancer. Found a guy down in Salem OR. that specializes in HB's. Cleaned, reset to original specs and bonded with a special silicone that replaces the original rubber sleeve. Guaranteed for the life of the car and he rebuilt my original balancer, not one from the core pile.
Another shot from the bottom end. PS control valve rebuilt and installed with new pressure and return lines to the pump. Except for some oil and a new filter, the bottom side is ready to go.
Here's where I ran into a few parts problems.
First of all the pick-up I ordered was too short and would not clear the internal oil pan baffle, no big deal. Also had to search out a new oil pump. The high volume pump I ordered from Summit came with a warning label that it was high pressure, not what I ordered. Called Summit, they called Sealed Power and assured me the the pump was high volume only and the warning label was inserted by mistake. Looking at the box, which looked as though it had been previously opened, I decided to play it safe and install a standard pressure/volume pump fresh from my local Napa.
The final parts disappointment was the new one piece oil pan gasket by Felpro. I had just used their new t-stat gasket with the built in o-ring and was looking forward to the one piece pan gasket. Out of the box it looked great but as I started to read the instructions and noticed the new set of pan bolts that came in the kit, I knew I had a problem. The new gasket is quite a bit thicker than the standard and they highly recommend the use of the longer bolts for proper thread engagement. Doing a little dry fit, it soon became clear that my original pan bolts wouldn't even come close. Being the original nuts and bolts guy that I am, back to Napa for the std. 4 piece kit. I think the new gasket is a great gasket design and I may use it on other vehicles, just not this one.
More to come when my HB arrives !!
|UPDATED|5/22/2015 12:12:32 AM (AZT)|/UPDATED|
______________
John Sigmund
valkman57@sbcglobal.net
NCRS Member 61302
NW NCRS Chapter Member
Duct tape is the new Black !!
Back to top of thread
20152515373r.jpg "click to update your profile pic")
