george landis

When did Olds start using steel timing gears?

joe_padavano

On the cam? Never. The cam gear was aluminum with nylon teeth on every second gen gasoline Olds V8 that ever left the factory. If you have a steel cam gear, it's a replacement.

oldcutlass

I believe they started in 64 and continued through the late 70's/early 80's, it wasn't limited to just Olds.

joe_padavano

You might want to go back and reread the question.

oldcutlass

Yes, I see the error of my ways. Somehow my brain thought I saw nylon timing gears.

george landis

I'm so sorry let me reword. When did oldsmobile stop using nylon gears on the on the large timing chain gear and start using a steel gear? I have not removed the cover on the engine yet. So i wondered if it had the original timing chain set (worried) or if and when they went to steel gears (less worried). That sure was some quick answers. Thanks

joe_padavano

And again, never.

Vintage Chief

It makes for a great afternoon shooting the $hit w/ your buddies while sipping tea exploring your options to visualize the current timing chain. Maybe a good time to remove & clean the inside of your oil pan, examine the oil pump screen & visualize the timing chain. Stock up on tea.

george landis

Engine has some leakage from the area of the oil pan. Nothing serious, but enough that it is oily underneath and migrating towards the transmission oil pan and beyond. Regardless it leaves oil spots on my shop floor and looks unsightly. I have an appointment july 5th to replace the oil pan gasket and the rear main seal. Using a small y block ford neoprene seal for the rear main. Timing chain set would almost double my cost. I could probably change it myself but for boring reasons i've decided to farm it out. Motor smooth, no noises, no oil consumption. I think i'll leave well enough alone and listen for sounds emanating from up front. Low performance 350/2v used strictly for mild cruising. Upgrades coming. Appreciate you all.

Vintage Chief

With the OEM aluminum cam gear w/ nylon teeth vs aftermarket steel cam gear having been put to rest, make sure you ask the mechanic performing R&R of the oil pan gasket to look at the timing chain - i.e. put it on the "to-do" list. You'll then know if it's the OEM original or aftermarket and you can ascertain any slop in the timing chain.

rocketraider

The timing chain job will be easiest with oil pan already out of the way. If engine has 90k miles or more now's the time to do it.

Vintage Chief

That's good advice but you need to first determine which timing chain is currently on the engine....regardless of number of miles, if it was replaced at 85,000 miles it would be a waste of money to replace it again.

george landis

Timing chain replaced, Cloyes P3006. Old nylon gears looked great. Chain had strech. Glad i replaced it. Quiet as a mouse. Smooth as silk. Thanks everyone for your inputs.

George, in south Alabama