308 Timing Belt Problem

The debate whether to pull the engine for service or to work around it will never be answered simply because it has to many variables. If all someone is trying to do is keep the engine is good running condition and maintain its reliability, the motor can stay put and you can work around it. Ive looked up inside the sump, and while I dont know how anyone got those oil pickup tube bolts off, I will take their word it can be done. And there are (or were) pictures to prove it.

But if the motor has been in the car over 10 years and looks like hell, and if you want to restore it back to like new, the only way to do it right is to get the motor out of the car. Yes, you can remove the front header with the motor in. Yes, you can remove the timing gear cover with the motor in. And yes, its even possible to remove the front head with the motor in the car. But if your thinking you might be doing any two of those jobs at the same time, IMHO you will be far ahead getting the whole lump out of there so you have some room to work.

 

Paul, after rereading your comment this AM I think I was mistaken. I now see you were speaking about the inner bearing and I was commenting on the outer. My mistake, horse of a differant color.

David, The thought never crossed my mind regarding your intentions or reasoning. I have always said to choose your mechanic wisely as there is much at risk. A full 3/4 of the work I do these days is janitorial in nature and gives the marque a faulse reputation. Once again Brian properly sumed everything up in a short sentence, things are getting old now and have to be serviced regardless if the parts were traumatized sometime in their past.

Dave

 

David, I don't think you will ever go wrong using Carlo as your mechanic, that was a very wise choice. Unfortunately he's also not going to be around forever. What are those of us in the NW going to do when he retires?? I'd love to quit my job and start apprenticing under him but it would probably take many years to learn a fraction of what he knows!!! Sure would be fun though.

I've been watching this thread because this is one of the jobs that I'm looking at for my car this winter.


John


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I agree, 2 or more big projects & the motor might as well come out, total effort will probably be a wash or even favor the motor pull. Also it's hard to get an engine really really clean in the car. Some of the more aggressive metal cleaners will also do a job on paint, or cause corrosion if they get into some frame nook & don't get rinsed out.

I also agree with Dave Helms about you have to be careful when resealing things afterwards, & keeping that $#@#$@ O-ring in place while slipping the cover back in is a real PITA. . But If the timing bearings were the only thing needing work, I'd do it in the car.

 

It looks Great!! When you did the exhaust you didn't pull the heat shields off the headers? If I wind up pulling my motor this winter I'll probably do the air pump stuff as well. I'm thinking that I'll pull the heat shields off and ceramic coat the headers too though. Did you use Peter's plugs for the injection ports?