First post here.
I'm in my late 60"s and have owned 2 1969 442's many years ago.
A wild hair inspired by nostalgia caused me to purchase a 1971 convertible 442 with documented 69k miles and I'm considering replacing the timing chain and gear set just because of age. The car runs beautifully but because the owner used it at his summer home it apparently sat 9 months of the year all it's life.
I recall a nylon gear in my 69 and when I replaced that chain set, the engine performance improved dramatically.
Any advice from others with experience would be appreciated.
thanks

 

thanks for your help

 

Even with that low mileage you should be prepared for the MAW rabbithole RR mentions above. Same thing happened with my '69 400G -- one thing led to another and by the time we popped the heads off we noticed significant cylinder ridges, even though the car only had a documented 71K on it. Ended up doing a complete rebuild.

 

So supposedly the engine threw a rod around 35k miles in the 80's according to what I've been told and the owner took it to the dealer and it was rebuilt.
I drove it an hour at 70 mph on the highway to a friend who has a lift and it's dry underneath and idles smooth with it rebuilt quadrajet. I just hate to tear into it.

 

I've only had it for 4 days but already put 175 miles on it.

 

Well, if it ain't broke ... it likely got a new timing set when it was rebuilt, but nylon teeth? Who knows?

All I know is, I tore into mine even though it ran well and found out things I didn't want to know. As they say on the internet, YMMV.

 

Several friends ( all retired auto guys) are telling me just drive it and enjoy it till it breaks. I was born paranoid when it comes to old cars.
Thanks guys for all the input.

 

I think that's good advice. If you end up having to get into the engine for any other reason, remember to do the timing set, though.

BTW, you really need to post some pictures!

 

 

Lookin' good!

 

 

[img alt="All new interior and top but body is a little rough.
Then again it is 54 years old"]https://cimg5.ibsrv.net/gimg/classicoldsmobile.com-vbulletin/2000x1504/20241115_105214_9253f83a150989daa773cfab52e349e548 f95046.jpg[/img]
All new interior and top but body is a little rough. Then again it is 54 years old

 

[img alt="All new interior and top but body is a little rough.
Then again it is 54 years old"]https://cimg5.ibsrv.net/gimg/classicoldsmobile.com-vbulletin/2000x1504/20241115_105214_9253f83a150989daa773cfab52e349e548 f95046.jpg[/img]
All new interior and top but body is a little rough. Then again it is 54 years old

 

Some say you should be able to see the timing chain cam gear through the fuel pump hole...pump removed and with a bore scope. Some say you can look down the fill tube with a small diameter bore scope, doubt it, but I'd like to see that. I've always just yanked the cover off so I can examine the chain and sprockets.

If you have receipts proving the rebuild rest assured the cam gear is all steel.

Do you have the service history? If not I recommend servicing everything that has fluid down to the power steering and brakes. Those soft brake hoses have an expiration date just like tires. Safety items,

Love that color. So refreshing to see a regular 442 hood with the regular 442 stripes and no W35 trunk wing.

 

^^ +1. I'd try to take a peek before pulling the timing cover off, that's a lot more invasive. I'd hate to go through all that coolant draining and disassembly to find a metal timing set. It would be downright negligent for even a dealer to replace the timing set with a nylon sprocket-ed replacement.

Another way I've relied on is to check how stable the timing is. If its fluttering around and its not the distributor, its the timing set.

 

Thanks for your suggestions

 

best and cleanest way to check it has already been suggested…pull the fuel pump and check with a mini camera.

they are dirt cheap now and adapt to most phones..some young kid can scope it for you to see if a plastic gear got put back in when rebuilt.

another simple way to check for a loose worn timing set is to remove the belts and put a bar on the crank bolt,, with all the spark plugs removed .. try rotating the crank back and forth slightly to feel for when the chain slack is taken up in each direction . this is more of a feel thing if you’ve done it before.

 

Exactly my thoughts.
I hate the thought of tearing into an engine that's dry as a bone underneath.
thanks