mvftw

Are the Timing Chain Gears in a '78 L82 Steel or Nylon? I have to replace my water pump and figure if their nylon, there getting replaced while I'm in there. I thought they are steel.

Smokehouse69

Don't hold me to this, but I think that the L-82 had metal timing gears. I believe that changing the timing set should be a matter of mileage. If the engine is high mileage, 100,000+ miles, then if the opportunity presents itself, change the timing set.
Go with a good quality double roller set like Cloyes.
Good Luck!

Ganey

Steel w/ nylon over the gears. Replace w/ roller set.

Paul L

This is what you have: nylon teeth on a steel body.



This what I changed to.






[Modified by paul79, 4:15 PM 3/14/2003]


[Modified by paul79, 4:18 PM 3/14/2003]

Alwyn678

:withstupid:

Jvette73

When I went to change out my stock cam I found the nylon cam gear on my 73. Portions of the nylon teeth were cracked and missing. At the same time I had the oil pan off to change to a high volume oil pump. I found bits of nylon teeth in the pickup of the old pump. The car ran ok before, but im sure it wouldnt have lasted too much longer. Not the way I drive anyway. :smash:

mvftw

Thanks all, well that settles that, I have 91K miles, so it's time for a roller chain...

Paul L

You will not regret that decsion! And I will answer the question that has not been posed as yet. Yes, the Cloyes set fits under the stock cover with no interference.

wayne_69_427

With that kind of mileagge you'll be doing it soon anyway.. It's always easier to do it at your when you chose instead having a breack down. And Corvettes broken down on the highway give us all a bad name. :thumbs: :thumbs:

Vetterodder

While ya got the front off and your hands are dirty anyway, how about a cam swap? :)

cardo0

BTW to get that timing cover off you'll have to drop the oil pan. To get the oilpan off you'll need to drop the starter and some steering linkage first. Also to remove timing cover the dampner goes first - use a good dampner puller or Murphy's law will prevail. This is after the belts and crank pully are off. :crazy:
Now you probably have 30,000-40,0000 miles left on a stock cam. But to ruin your day a little more that cam R&R would require pulling carb/intake and at least radiator. :(
Good news is Felpro makes a one piece oil pan gasket - highly recommended. :thumbs:

Paul L

And if his exhaust system is stock, the front Y-pipe must come off also. You can see how the pipe hugs the oil pan in this pic. Note the blue pan gasket ;) .



Here is the steering gear down and the Y-pipe out.






[Modified by paul79, 2:44 PM 3/15/2003]


[Modified by paul79, 2:47 PM 3/15/2003]

Jvette73

cardo0, Im not flaming you, but you mentioned that the oil pan needs to be removed to get the timing cover off. I dis-agree with that statement. I have done many of cam swaps and timing chain replacements on SBC and most of them without removing the oil pan. It is nessisary however to trim the pan end seals correctly when putting the timing cover back on with the pan already there. Add a dab of rtv sealer to each corner to help the seal. Most timing gaskets sets have two front pan seals. Ones thicker than the other. Gotta make sure you use the right one.

cardo0

I'm not flaming you either Jvette73 and I like your shark but how many oil pan gaskets have a small leak from bending the pan? I just want to give the best advice and hear about happy shark owners with thier repairs/mods. :chevy

mvftw

I was Not planning on removing the pan & exhaust, I also have done timing chains without removing the pan. I'll have to think about this one...

Jvette73

Thanks for the compliment cardo0, and I agree that it can be at bit tricky to get the cover on with pan in place and have it seal up good. The first time I tried it, I had leaks. But next time around, and from then on, with finess and the proper triming of gaskets it can be done leak free. If one did already have the pan off for another reason, I would certainly recomend putting the timing cover on before putting the pan on.

:cheers:

Twin_Turbo

Hey, a blue 1 pc oil pan gasket ;) :D :thumbs:

Paul L

I guess the ;) gave the hint away....

mvftw

I don't get it. I saw water being throw around the fan the last couple of times I started it up. Today it's 60* here, I say later for the water pump, I have to throw some gears, just a short blast around. I end driving around for about hour and no leaks...what gives...I'm still going to replace the pump & chain.