How to Change The Timing Chain And Gears In A 1987 Chevrolet

This article will teach you the proper way to remove and install the timing chain and gears from your 1987 Chevrolet V8.

Difficulty: Moderate

Instructions

Things You'll Need:

• SEA Socket and ratchet set
• SEA wrench set
• Wheel puller(without jaw)
• Oil pan gasket
• Timing chain cover gasket
• timing chain and gears

1. 
    

   Disconnect the battery at the negative side lay the cable off to the side were it will not accidentally come in contact with the terminal of the battery. Once the battery is unhooked drain the radiator, remove the water pump belt. Loosen the radiator hose and heater hose from the bottom of the water pump and remove them. Remove the fan assembly and the water pump pulley. now simply remove the water pump bolts, once all the bolts are removed remove the water pump.

2. 
    

   Remove the bolts that hold the crankshaft pulley to the harmonic balancer together and separate them.

3. 
    

   On most Chevrolet V8 your harmonic balancer is held to your crankshaft with one large bolt in the center of the balancer remove it. With your non jaw will puller remove the harmonic balancer.

4. 
    

   With this being a V8 you will have to lower your oil pan before removing your timing chain cover. If your oil pan has not been removed in a while you will have to replace the gasket so i would suggest removing the pan completely. remove the bolts around the oil pan and remove it.

5. Remove all the bolts from the timing chain cover. The cover will be stuck so use a putty knife or something to separate the cover from the block. Avoid prying on the cover they are easy to damage.

6. 
    

   Now that you can see you gears put the harmonic balancer bolt back in the crankshaft and turn the motor till the three marks on the gears are inline. You should have one at the very top of your top gear and one at the bottom of your top gear. The one on the bottom gear should be inline with the bottom one on the top gear. the bottom gear should be setting at 12 o clock.

7. Without moving the camshaft remove the three bolts in the top gears. remove the chain and gear together. The bottom gear can be removed with a will puller be careful not to damage the threads in the crankshaft.

8. Alien your new crankshaft gear(the one on bottom)up with your keeper key inline that insures that the timing is right with the mark on top. Once it is in place put the top gear and chain on as on unit. The marks should be one on top and the other inline with your bottom mark. with the marks in line replace the bolts.

9. Replace the gasket on the timing chain cover and replace it on the motor. Put the new gasket on the oil pan and put it back on. put new gasket on the water pump put it back. and so on till everything is back and you are running again.

Tips & Warnings

• when replacing the water pump try not to slide it around when installing it the gasket will leak.

[maryanne09]

on 3/15/2009 Excellent! :o)

[obtortus]

on 3/4/2009 who knew...