455 Timing Cover Replacement

I'll second Larry's recommendation for Everyday Performance. Ken did a great job on mine!

 

x3 - Ken does a great job on distributors, with a novel approach to customizing mechanical advance to the owners spec.

 

I'm not married to the lockout. I just thought it was a lockout, and the initial timing was at like 30* which seemed consistent with that so I was concerned when it was going up that something was wrong.

It seems like Ken only does points distributors? I think I want to stick with a modern pickup.

I'm thinking about putting this one back in, with less initial timing, and getting a core to send to Dave's Small Body HEI and using a standalone rev limiter like the Pertronix 600.

Also thinking about just buying the Pertronix ignitor 3 drop in which would keep the stock look cap and have an integrated rev limiter. I would have to again run my current distributor for now since they're a few weeks out. I like the Dave's small body option since spare modules would be cheap and I feel like an AC Delco part would probably be more reliable.

I think I need to just order something, step away from the computer, and get my hands dirty.....

 

If looking at a new distributor, you might want to consider the Progression unit. Light years ahead of springs and weights. No need to send anywhere for curving, you create whatever curve you want. Has rev limiter and crank retard as well.

 

Nice! I thought they quit making a distributor for Buicks. Pricey but cool

https://progressionignition.com/pro...ck-big-block-400-455-v8-small-cap-distributor

 

If they were giving away free Pertronix ignition modules, I wouldn't walk across the street to get one. I don't need to be stranded on the side of the road when it fails.

 

I have to agree from past experience

 

Next problem....wasn't expecting this:

Can I do this without degreeing the cam as long as I don't get something adjustable and, well don't move anything...

I had read that he was not running, and then that he was back at it. I haven't heard back, so I'm guessing he's not or is backed up.

I had actually, somewhat reluctantly, ordered the Pertronix. I was mostly replacing the distributor because I thought it was responsible for the erratic timing at idle, but now that I've seen the timing chain I think I might cancel that, use the distributor I have and just add a rev limiter. I kinda didn't want to mount the box, but it seems like it might be the better option.

 

EEHHH, it’s got slack obviously, but was it causing any issues prior to checking?
ALL chains will stretch to some degree.
You could try a “shorter” timing set, but they will develop slack after a bit.
If it was fine before, keep running it, it’s certainly stronger than a stock set up.

 

I had noticed that the timing was pretty erratic at idle. I was also wondering how much was stretch and if I’d actually need a shorter set. It also had a ton of total timing. It was 30ish at idle and I’d been told it was locked out but it actually had like 12-14* of advance.

 

I don’t know what exactly Smokey Yunick meant when he said “if you ever saw a timing chain at speed, it whips around like a snake”
Not sure he meant it’s bad, or how much “whipping around” he was talking about, or if it’s normal.
I’d have to check my “Smokey Yunicks power secrets” book

 

i read somewhere that 1/4” deflection is normal, and this is way more. I’m not sure how authoritative that source was. I’d love to just slap it back together and move on but it just seems like a lot

 

These new engines (OHC) have chains probably over 3 feet long, but have tensioners cause they have ALOT of slack.
Even the LS V8’s have “shoes” to keep the slack side from whipping around.
In a nutshell we have the same issue but nothing to take up the slack and keep tension on the chain on that side.

 

So I was going to slap it back together and call it a day. Then I took some pictures of the gears and I feel like they look a lot worse than I originally thought. I'm now thinking about replacing and just degreeing before and after so I know what the cam is anyway, because I have no clue right now. Unless this is normal for billet gears? This is the billet rollermaster and it's stamped TA.

 

Why are the numbers double-stamped? Who screwed-up the stampings?

The sprocket looks very worn and even damaged. I'm also aware that nice, clear, in-focus photos often make stuff look worse than it really is.

 

I guess either Rollermaster or TA, I was wondering the same....

I think the photos definitely make it look worse. There's a lot more contrast and it kinda looks like there's metal shards but they're really rag lint. It looks more like a bad finish in person than deep gouges, but it's making me think some wear has contributed to the slack.

I presume oil starvation is what causes this? I'm replacing what I believe is a stock cover with a TA, but I'm not sure if the oiling mods address the timing gears.

 

Some people used to put put an oiler inside of the timing cover, it was tapped in and used a copper 1/8 line. It squirtd oil directly on the distributor gear and looks to splash the chain.
Poston used to sell it I think Old Buick Parts does now. Someone did this on one of my timing covers at one time.
I'm not a big fan of this but maybe someone can chime in with some good info on it. I will try to find it and link it.

 

An old trick. TA shows it installed in their front cover. Pinch the end a bit to turn the oil stream into a fine spray.

https://www.taperformance.com/PDF/Roller_Cam_Installation.pdf



Devon