timing idler sprockets
 

:confused:I am replacing timing chain. upgrading to the hydraulic tensioners.

If the idler sprockets look good I'd rather not replace. Obviously if there is anything questionable about them then I would change them out. Looking for opinions from those that have done this before.

Thanks in advance,

Garyhttp://forums.pelicanparts.com/uploa...1399668378.jpg
http://forums.pelicanparts.com/uploa...1399668392.jpg

Visual inspection........
 

Gary,

It is difficult to see the condition of the idler sprockets and cam sprockets from your pictures. After you have removed them, inspect them closely, and have a good close shots of the sprockets. There is no clear cut definition or description of a so so worn out sprockets but you could easily identify a well worn out sprocket.

If you have a new sprocket and place it side by side with an old one, you'll see the difference and decide. I hope someone in this forum would have a more technical inspection or measurement to define a sprocket that needs replacement. Visual inspection is very subjective.

Tony

Again, hard to make a call on the pictures but I do see quite a bit of shiny areas on the teeth of the tensioner idlers. I suggest pulling them off and first check the condition of the bushing inside. Then look carefully at the teeth and see if they appear symetrical. By that, I mean one side of each tooth looks the same as the other side. The load on the sprockets is in one direction only so wear occurs on one side of the teeth only. My car had 110,000 miles on it and I did replace the chains and idlers "while I was in there" Good luck!

Subjective.

No one is going to say, "Hell, yeah, go for it, it will be fine."

The conservative approach is to replace the chains, ramps and tensioner with hydraulic. Are those pressure fed, I can't see an oil port?

I have been to Novato. Just north of SF, right? Friend lives there in a nice but modest split on a not so big mountain. Not a hill, is what I am trying to say. He could sell his house and buy 14 homes in Akron, but he loses his view.

I'll keep the view. Thanks

Photos aren't quite clear, but the right side idler appears ok. However the cam sprockets on that side look "pointy" (aka worn). Inspect all. Try uploading a closer view for a look-see.

As the sprockets wear, the chain becomes effectively "longer" and the idler arm becomes closer to the wall of the left side chain box. In addition, the tensioner rod extends further.

Sherwood

New camshaft n idler sprockets on order.

Good decision........
 

Gary,

That's a good decision you just made. Why wait for them to go bad and replace them later? These old sprockets are close to their life expectancies and replacing them now is a better and prudent course of action than waiting for them to fail later. Let's get this engine installed and running soon.

Tony

That's the plan. Thanks for all the insight and encouragement.

Gary