56 Olds 88 324ci timing chain question

1arunem · February 14th, 2009, 04:34 PM

The timing chain in my 56 Olds 88 (324ci) seems to have started "rattling".. It goes away at certain rpm's but at idle is pretty prevelant. I am pretty confident it is the chain.

Any ideas where I can find a chain, gear and gasket set for it?

If you have been following my other threads, I found a fuel tank for it, installed a water pump today (hoping the noise was the bearings in it) and installed a fuel pump. Now the timing chain should be the last thing she needs.

And yes, I thought to pull the belt off the pump and run the car to diagnose the noise, but it needed a pump anyway. After doing so, the noise is after all apparently from the chain.

Oh well, I enjoy working on the old girl.

Also, when can I post in the tech section for advice??

citcapp · February 14th, 2009, 05:05 PM

You can buy the timing chain and gears from Rock Auto on the internet or order them from your local NAPA

hialeah56 · February 15th, 2009, 05:00 PM

I would start with kanter.com they have everything to rebuild the 324, or fusick.com they have a lot of parts for us but are a little more expensive

February 15th, 2009, 05:48 PM

Not to hijack your thread, but I'm having the same exact rattling noise coming from the front of my 324. I thought at first it was something external, and then thought maybe it was the waterpump. Well, the water pump shaft is tight and has no play in it, plus the PO told me the water pump is new.

So I'm thinking my problem is the timing chain also.

So how difficult is it to replace? I've never replaced a timing chain before. I'm assuming the engine can stay in the car? Do I need to remove the radiator? Anything else need to be removed? How long does it take and are there any specialty tools needed? And do I need to get the sprockets too, or just the chain?

I was going to get the timing chain from Rockauto, but was wondering if there are set ups that would be a performance upgrade from stock?

Thanks!

February 14th, 2009, 04:34 PM	#1 (permalink)
1arunem Registered User Join Date: Feb 2009 Posts: 25	56 Olds 88 324ci timing chain question The timing chain in my 56 Olds 88 (324ci) seems to have started "rattling".. It goes away at certain rpm's but at idle is pretty prevelant. I am pretty confident it is the chain. Any ideas where I can find a chain, gear and gasket set for it? If you have been following my other threads, I found a fuel tank for it, installed a water pump today (hoping the noise was the bearings in it) and installed a fuel pump. Now the timing chain should be the last thing she needs. And yes, I thought to pull the belt off the pump and run the car to diagnose the noise, but it needed a pump anyway. After doing so, the noise is after all apparently from the chain. Oh well, I enjoy working on the old girl. Also, when can I post in the tech section for advice??

February 14th, 2009, 05:05 PM	#2 (permalink)
citcapp Super Moderator Join Date: Nov 2007 Location: Bothell, WA Posts: 3,455	You can buy the timing chain and gears from Rock Auto on the internet or order them from your local NAPA __________________ Pat 1957 Super 88 with a 455 1948 2dr series 76 with a 455

February 15th, 2009, 05:00 PM	#3 (permalink)
hialeah56 1956 holiday coupe Join Date: Feb 2008 Location: hialeah, fl Posts: 96	I would start with kanter.com they have everything to rebuild the 324, or fusick.com they have a lot of parts for us but are a little more expensive __________________ fng *my two favorite web sites* http://www.fusick.com/catalogdownload.htm http://www.usapartssupply.com/textcat.htm

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February 15th, 2009, 05:48 PM	#4 (permalink)
Steeb Guest Posts: n/a	Not to hijack your thread, but I'm having the same exact rattling noise coming from the front of my 324. I thought at first it was something external, and then thought maybe it was the waterpump. Well, the water pump shaft is tight and has no play in it, plus the PO told me the water pump is new. So I'm thinking my problem is the timing chain also. So how difficult is it to replace? I've never replaced a timing chain before. I'm assuming the engine can stay in the car? Do I need to remove the radiator? Anything else need to be removed? How long does it take and are there any specialty tools needed? And do I need to get the sprockets too, or just the chain? I was going to get the timing chain from Rockauto, but was wondering if there are set ups that would be a performance upgrade from stock? Thanks!