LT1 Based Engine Tech 1993-1997 LT1/LT4 Engine Related

Timing chain broke....

Old Sep 14, 2008 | 09:29 AM
  #1  
ford's Avatar
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Timing chain broke....

Well my LT4 timing chain gave way and I am kinda at a loss of what to do. I popped the valve covers off and all of the roller rockers are just sitting at the same height, and you can turn the engine without them moving Should I just buy another timing chain slap it on and hope none of the valves got damaged?

Or pull the heads take a look and hope for the best?

Thanks.
Old Sep 14, 2008 | 09:33 AM
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Pull the heads, no question.
Old Sep 14, 2008 | 09:35 AM
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Damn!

Well if i pull the heads i wanted to ditch the heads/cam setup I have now for a blower. The more expensive route is always fun as well.
Old Sep 14, 2008 | 09:57 AM
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From my like 8 years of surfing various LTx forums the LT4 and LT4 ED setups seem to be a step BACKWARDS from stock reliability wise.

The blower you want will still benifit from heads and cam so why would you ditch them?

Makes no sense that all the rockers would be at the same height, but if turning the motor does not move rockers it does sound like the timng set is broken.
Old Sep 14, 2008 | 10:03 AM
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Yeah it was weird to see them all level as well... But I could take a pic and show you if you were that interested I didnt mean i would get rid of my heads but more that my current cam is trash for a blower.
Old Sep 14, 2008 | 10:24 AM
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" convention wisdom" is not so wise when it comes to blower cams.
Old Sep 14, 2008 | 10:26 AM
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I would not pull the heads before I did a leak down test on each cylinder to make sure.

That would tell me which way to go then.

Old Sep 14, 2008 | 10:28 AM
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i would do a leak down test before i pulled the heads. if there isn't any leakage then i'd say its fine.
Old Sep 14, 2008 | 12:14 PM
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be very careful if you're going to do a leak down test, if the cam isn't turning then you risk damaging any valves that are open
Old Sep 14, 2008 | 01:35 PM
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I would not bother with a leakdown either. Just pull the heads, it is the only way to get a look at the valves and pistons.
Old Sep 14, 2008 | 01:42 PM
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The damage was done instantly when the chain broke. You could get away with breaking a timing belt on a Pinto without valve damage but not on an LT1. Not all the valves are bent but some of them are. Bite the bullet.
Old Sep 14, 2008 | 08:07 PM
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Originally Posted by cnorton
The damage was done instantly when the chain broke. You could get away with breaking a timing belt on a Pinto without valve damage but not on an LT1. Not all the valves are bent but some of them are. Bite the bullet.
yes but if all the cylinder's pass the leak down test then it should be fine. yes there might be a possibitly of the valves still touching but not being bent. IMO if your still going to bite the bullet b/c they touched but are not bent then you might as well replace the pistons since it touched... i've seen where there was more damage to the piston and the valve was fine.
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