eBay find!!

[flyin ryan]

I don't like the chances of breaking a chain with out tagging a few (or a lot) of valves. Would depend a lot on what RPM the chain broke, again not very likely it would break at 'lower' RPM. Next question would be why the chain broke at all...cars got a few miles on but..., thats a rather lazy answer for me.

[bdw18_123]

I just got off the phone with the guy, he said he used to work on cars for a living. Apparently, he bought a full timing chain setup from Phrogs, off of a 50K mile engine he had. I guess one of the pins on the timing chain sheared off and that's how the chain came apart. He said there was no metal hitting noise when the chain let go at around 45mph. So I guess it's possible that the damage could be minimal, since the rpm's probably weren't high. He had it trailered home from there.

[-=Jeff=-]

Originally Posted by bdw18_123

I just got off the phone with the guy, he said he used to work on cars for a living. Apparently, he bought a full timing chain setup from Phrogs, off of a 50K mile engine he had. I guess one of the pins on the timing chain sheared off and that's how the chain came apart. He said there was no metal hitting noise when the chain let go at around 45mph. So I guess it's possible that the damage could be minimal, since the rpm's probably weren't high. He had it trailered home from there.

see.. it may not be that bad

[phrogs]

whoa there killer!

First congrats on the car its not all that bad it will be a fun project.
We only had some concerns.


I have never sold a complete set of timing chains to anyone, I have parted out one engine and the timing chains went with it to england not california. So im not sure how my name got into this I did not sell this guy timing chains.

Even if I did I dont know why it would matter, if the chain broke it broke. I just dont understand why my name would come up, but why did he change them previously for what reason? and now they broke and I supplied the used parts?? sounds very fishy to me and its pissing me off.

I have seen a LT5 with bent valves smashing them into the head so it can happen, also I was more worried about the front of the block where the chains are at like the photos Jeff posted that is what I was worried about. The seller stated he ran it after the chain was broken that sends shivers down my spine thinking about it. I have seen a head that the chain broke and busted the cam cover up front so the chain breaking can do some serious damage.


Go look at the front of the block and check it out.

I do have a Left Hand head that ill sell for $750 plus shipping so if you need it I have one.
I also have 2 complete engines for sale.

Originally Posted by bdw18_123

I just got off the phone with the guy, he said he used to work on cars for a living. Apparently, he bought a full timing chain setup from Phrogs, off of a 50K mile engine he had. I guess one of the pins on the timing chain sheared off and that's how the chain came apart. He said there was no metal hitting noise when the chain let go at around 45mph. So I guess it's possible that the damage could be minimal, since the rpm's probably weren't high. He had it trailered home from there.

[bdw18_123]

I just reread my post, I was not trying to say that it was timing chains that he bought from you phrogs that broke and somehow is your fault. I should have made myself more clear.

The chains that are on the engine are the originals, that's the one that broke, they were never changed previously. The ones he claims to have bought from someone on this forum with your name, phrogs, are the good ones that come with the car that I will be installing. Maybe there is someone else with a similar name? I don't know, that's just what he said.

Again, I apologize if it sounded like I was trying to lay blame on you Phrogs, just the way i typed it makes it sound that way, that was not my intent. If the head is damaged real bad, I may be interested in your $750 head, that doesn't seem like too bad a price considering parts are hard to come by. We'll see how it goes.

I will check the front of the motor when I get there and see if there is any chain damage there.

[Jagdpanzer]

At a minimum I believe the seller should provide you cover if the engine is damaged beyond what he may be claiming. I don't intend to cause undo alarm here but I've been in the engine business all my life and loosing a cam dive has certain consequences that will occur within two revolutions of the crankshaft. The chain letting go at around 45 mph provides no comfort in this case. It will be very lucky indeed if the damage is limited to just a few bent valves.

[phrogs]

I wasnt bent that you typed that, it just sounded like it was words from him that he told you.

I understand what your saying, but again those chains didnt come from me.

its not that hard to work on this motor I would pull it out and clean clean clean and inspect it.


Let me know on the head and maybe a motor if you need one.

johnny

[flyin ryan]

Nobody with a similar name on here...i think the guys dropping names that he's seen on here, hoping it will get him some breathing room & credability. If Johnny says he didn't sell the guy anything, well that's the end of that story, he doesn't forget things like that. I'd proceed with caution .

[Ccmano]

While each circumstance is different when something like a timing chain let's go these engines have proven themselves to be very robust. I was at Haibecks shop last year when he had and engine he had rebuilt that had a brand new chain let go. If memory serves, the only damage was few bent valves. Check it out when you get it apart. Worst case, since your on the west coast, send the head(s) to Jeff Flint up in Washington. I'm sure he can get them repaired at minimal cost.

Take your time and treat it as a project, you'll have fun and learn about this unusual and exotic engine. For me, at least, I enjoy working on the car and restoring it as much as driving it.

Have fun....
H

Originally Posted by bdw18_123

So, is the LT5 an 'interference' motor? I couldn't find an answer to that question.

Is there a chance that the motor could survive timing chain breakage with little or no internal damage? Is there anyway to tell what the damage is by looking in sparkplug hole, or maybe turning engine over by hand?

I'd like to know before I hand the money over, tho I don't know if the guy will let me back out.

He said the chain let go at around 45mph. He also said that after "running it on passenger bank for 10 seconds" there was no banging metal sounds, gas in the oil, water in the oil, oil in the plugs ..etc. Of course, I'm not going to take him at his word, but that's what he said.

You will have 7k in this car just by buying it and picking it up (6,800 + fuel/trailer/time). The car was a deal at 5,600 for me. It would have been a track car probably or a quick turn after the repairs. In talking to a few people who inquired about more pics, they were ignored. The was another car that was for sale a while back ago with "motor issues", owner claimed he had no idea what happened, it just stopped running. Well, long story short he is still looking for parts the last I heard.

We are not trying to scare you, but you need to think on a "worst case basis" for this project. Head gasket, head bolts, cam bolts, other misc pieces.