Timing Chain Inspection and Replacement

[Tynan918]

Is the fan, water pump, and harmonic balancer the only things I remove to get to the timing chain cover ?

 

[565bbchevy]

Wouldn't that mean there isn't a gasket behind it if I'm able to get a good ground connection, or the gasket is thin enough to get a connection through it ?

Yes there is a gasket but the bolts are grounded to the block along with the plate, obviously it wasn't an issue being there before.

 

[79 USA 1]

Most small block Chevys have it mounted to the alternator bracket with out the serpentine belt set-up. I've always moved them to the front of the block next to the fuel pump.
Red Arrow in photo below.

Looking at your pictures a few pages back the brackets for the serpentine set up are in those holes in the front of the engine.
The point of attachment you had on the fuel pump block off plate is perfectly fine, Just make sure there the cable end and the block off plate are free of paint.

 

[Tynan918]

Tensioner dowel is broke...🤦🏾‍♂... I dont think i remember it breaking when i removed it...

 

[Tynan918]

Yes there is a gasket but the bolts are grounded to the block along with the plate, obviously it wasn't an issue being there before.

Some other guys said they seemed surprised I was getting a connection there, just trying to correct it if it was wrong...

I reconnected it to start it up.

 

[Tynan918]

The gasket doesn't really matter, the 4 bolts holding the plate on make contact with the block and create the path for the circuit.

Edit; While not an ideal place to have it if you're running heavy amperage (air ride, big sound system, etc.) It will get you moving again.

I have a sound system I plan on running and eventually upgrading it...but where it's at is good for now to run it and test things...

 

[scoti]

Some other guys said they seemed surprised I was getting a connection there, just trying to correct it if it was wrong...

I reconnected it to start it up.

Not surprised it worked..... There's more than one acceptable way.

But, I would also not be surprised if it was an issue given the point of connection & general condition of things near the anchor point. I usually set my ground circuit up so the BATT/NEG bolts to the frame & another short cable runs from the same point on the frame to a spot on the engine block.

 

[Tynan918]

Went and pulled another tensioner from the scrap yard...

 

[Tynan918]

Tensioner dowel is broke...🤦🏾‍♂... I dont think i remember it breaking when i removed it...View attachment 193355View attachment 193356View attachment 193357

I don't remember breaking that when I took it off...

How was it working with the dowel pin broke ?

 

[g0thiac]

I don't remember breaking that when I took it off...

How was it working with the dowel pin broke ?

Doesn’t matter, to be honest really you can use a different belt and not use the tensioner.

Is the oil leak fixed? No point in worrying about belts if that isn’t done.

 

[Tynan918]

Belt is on...

Need to throw the distributor cap on and wire it at the cap..

Fire it up...