While the chain may not need replacement all that badly...and there
are good instructions in several manuals for checking slack in the
chain, the chain tensioner probably should be changed...and since you
are in there, might as well do the chain too...
Though it takes a couple of hours, and you'll want to be particularly
careful to keep the cam and crank in propoer alignment, the job isn't
difficult.
My recent acquisition of the '76 Spitfire (for $200.00) was I believe
the result of the POs possible belief that the two timing chain
tensioner blades found in the oil pan were bearings...(He was in the
pan to recover the broken fuel pump actuator arm)...he must have
thought the rust free car wasn't worth spending a new engine on...and
gave the car up for parts.
I replaced the fuel pump, timing chain and tensioner (remove the
radiator, water pump, etc to facilitate the removal and replacement of
the chain cover, make a small "special tool out of a coat hanger for
pulling/holding the tensioner in position as you replace the cover)
and valve cover gasket. Cranked the car, which started, and we've
been driving it since.
Good luck....
Certainly the best buy I've had on an LBC.
Pete McQ
76 Spit
73 TR-6
72 GT-6
69 GT-6+ (2)
______________________________ Reply Separator _________________________________
Subject: timing chain
Author: meck@LANL.GOV at Internet
Date: 5/21/97 5:20 PM
What is the collective opinion on replacing the timing chain as preventive
maintenance? My '79 Spitfire has 72 K miles on it. Changing the chain
looks like a non-trivial task...
Sandra
'79 Spit
Los Alamos, NM
|