I will be removing the timing cover over the weekend & changing out the original timing set shortly.

Was the nylon on both cam and crank gears? And if I see missing nylon (exposed teeth), it must be in the oil pan & pick-up, correct?

I have the 400, chassis manual talks about removing tranny, lifting engine and rolling it side to side to remove oil pan bolts and ultimately pan. I am in no way suggesting that I want to pull the engine but am curious....
Is it easier in the long run to pull the motor but leave the trans or pull them connected together? Any work that I do on the car is in my garage and not with a professional car lift....

Was planning on getting the Cloyes 91113 set. Is this over doing it? L.C.400 w/ 2BBL.
Also plan on getting the Felpro TCS45270 Timing Cover Set w/Sleeve (just in case..)

 

Cam gear only. Use a three finger puller to remove the crank gear. I suggest geting the best chain set you can afford.

 

If there is missing nylon it is likely in the pan or the pump's pick-up screen. Retrieving them will likely be a struggle unless they are near where they started from. Perhaps you will be lucky and find all intact. The Cloyes 91113 seems like a good set. You can do it cheaper but I'd prefer to get a well made domestic set rather than an import.
Again the Fel-Pro TCS45270 seems like a good choice. If you're lucky you won't need the sleeve. Be sure to take extra care where the timing cover and pan come together. A good seal there is important. Also complete removal of the old gasket material is important.

 

I changed the chain & gears in my 70 Vista and found the nylon to be still intact. I didn't know if the car had 80 or 180,000 miles on it. Must be it's 80 because of the good shape timing chain and other original parts that suggest lower miles. Maybe you'll be lucky.

 

Bravo, changing the timing set will give you good piece of mind and a lifetime of fun cruising. Along with the new water pump, you should have lots of worry free driving ahead of you. Retrieve broken pieces if needed, they might collect around the oil pickup and cause a restriction. Nylon gears may have looked good on paper, but what a mess when they go bad. Good luck.

 

Thank you for the input.

 

worked at my dad's gas station in the 70's. I changed many buick, olds, Pontiac timing chains. I remember the cam gear on quite a few barely having any teeth left. all we did as a precaution was change the oil and filter. never had a comeback for any reason. like ozzie says says, get a good domestic set.

 

Success on getting the old set out today. And very lucky - the old cam gear was fully intact but the nylon did show cracks...

 

What's a good replacement set? Brand/specs?? I've got a 72 Delta 88. Cruiser, not a race car, but I do drive it quite a bit. Not looking for "race equipment" but a GOOD replacement. Any thoughts would be great! Thanks.

 

I put the Comp Cams double roller set in my 71 98.

https://www.summitracing.com/parts/c...ake/oldsmobile

It's not too much more than the Summit cheapie.

https://www.summitracing.com/parts/s...ake/oldsmobile

Unfortunately, I think they're all Chinesium these days.

 

Cloyes The 9-1113 is definitely overkill. What year is your engine ? For some reason the Cloyes catalog does not show a 400 for 1972 ? I think the C3082 would be the correct part number. If you can post the part numbers off your originals I can check for certain.

 

That is because the 400 didn't exist in 72. The poster who jumped in this thread, just get the cheap Cloyes set an hope it is accurate. There have been a few of the Cloyes Street sets not reading right. That 9-1113 is the only set I would buy, the chain sat loosely on my Street roller set, Macado had the same issue, the 9-1113 set fit way better and will be the only set I will buy.