So I have seen documented here on FABO several times the result of using too long timing cover bolts at the bottom, which results in the bolt contacting, distorting, even cracking the bottom of the front cylinder, resulting in havoc when the engine is started. I believe that there is even a sticky here that lists the correct bolt lengths for the water pump & timing cover.
This one was new to me. I friend found a 67 Belvidere 4 door in remarkable shape for sale. It originally had an LA318 that was worn out so the owner had a 360 built to go into the car. When they went to start the engine the motor locked up immediately. In frustration the owner put the car up for sale at a bargain basement price. Figuring the engine was toast my friend bought it assuming that a new engine was in order. Before giving up on it he started disassembly and when he got the timing cover off he found this cam gear:
Here is where the too long bolt contacted the Cam timing gear locking it in place...
and the resulting BROKEN CAM GEAR!!! I believe this happened before the attempt to start the engine simply by the pressure of the bolt on the gear.
and the mess that was made by the timing chain jumping ship...
Fortunately the engine only turned a little bit. A new timing chain and it fired right up! The guy that bought the car deserved his good fortune as he has help many, many Mopar folks out with their engine woes over the years.
This came in the week following a discussion with a guy that bought a 1956 Plymouth for $500. The owner warned him that the engine was toast, because when he checked it over the air cleaner was full of oil!!! Some guys have all the luck.
This one was new to me. I friend found a 67 Belvidere 4 door in remarkable shape for sale. It originally had an LA318 that was worn out so the owner had a 360 built to go into the car. When they went to start the engine the motor locked up immediately. In frustration the owner put the car up for sale at a bargain basement price. Figuring the engine was toast my friend bought it assuming that a new engine was in order. Before giving up on it he started disassembly and when he got the timing cover off he found this cam gear:
Here is where the too long bolt contacted the Cam timing gear locking it in place...
and the resulting BROKEN CAM GEAR!!! I believe this happened before the attempt to start the engine simply by the pressure of the bolt on the gear.
and the mess that was made by the timing chain jumping ship...
Fortunately the engine only turned a little bit. A new timing chain and it fired right up! The guy that bought the car deserved his good fortune as he has help many, many Mopar folks out with their engine woes over the years.
This came in the week following a discussion with a guy that bought a 1956 Plymouth for $500. The owner warned him that the engine was toast, because when he checked it over the air cleaner was full of oil!!! Some guys have all the luck.
