Re: [Chrysler300] FW: Plastic Cam Gears

["Don Verity" <d.verity@xxxx>]

Hi John and All,
The gear in question is not actually plastic. Original gears on big blocks
dating back to the mid sixties had the gear teeth molded from a plastic like
compound. It was done to quiet things down. Some lasted a long time. I
replaced the timing chain and gears on my 69 440 with 84,000 miles and the
gear was fine. I've done others where there were almost no teeth left! An
easy way to check is to line up the mark on the damper, and turn the
crankshaft back and forth until you feel the resistance of the cam. You
should have no more than 1/2 inch play. Works for all types of timing chains
set-ups. It's still cheap maintenance for the peace of mind.
300ly,
Don
----- Original Message -----
From: <john_nowosacki@xxxx>
To: <Chrysler300@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxx>
Sent: Thursday, June 27, 2002 8:12 AM
Subject: [Chrysler300] FW: Plastic Cam Gears


> Hi folks,
> I've been following a rather lengthy thread on another listserver for
Jensen Interceptor owners concerning plastic cam gears. I understand this
is not an issue for my 61 413 motor, but my Jensen 440 might be affected.
I'd like to (re)-aquire a Hurst someday, and am wondering what the 300
community has to say regarding these plastic gears.
> My Jensen only has 25,000 miles on it and runs like a top, and has never
had more than oil changes and tune-ups done to it. I'd rather not rip it
apart if it's not necessary. Any thoughts would be appreciated.
> John
>
> -----Original Message-----
> From: hal kendall [mailto:hkendall@xxxx]
> Sent: Wednesday, June 26, 2002 11:28 PM
> To: jensen-cars@xxxx
> Subject: RE: Plastic Cam Gears
>
>
> Following this thread - the article, below, authored by Mike Lotwis, was
> printed and reprinted in the WL collection.
>
> Plastic Cam Gears
> This article should have been written a long time ago, but with
Interceptors
> at least five years old now, and most having at least 50,000 miles or
more,
> it's more important than ever. All Interceptor 383 and 440 Chrysler
engines
> have plastic lined camshaft timing gears. Due to not only heat and
mileage,
> but also age regardless of mileage, these plastic teeth chip away and one
> day the engine just doesn't start or stops while running, bending a few
push
> rods and valves. When enough plastic teeth have chipped away, the timing
> chain just spins on the stripped gear, not allowing the camshaft to turn,
> thus gross mis-timing.
>
> As a couple of you club members have attested to me (one just one week
> before it happened), every club member should immediately consider letting
> your mechanic change the timing chain and plastic cam gear to an all metal
> gear. Not only will this save some pride or towing bill someday, but more
> important, a possible complete expensive engine rebuild.
>
> An aftermarket TRW all metal cam timing gear is available under Part
> #SS366T, the T indicating all iron metal gear. A TRW TC501 timing chain
and
> SS367 ironshaft gear should also be changed at the same time. These parts
> are more than adequate for stock engines, but for you high performance
> buffs, both Chrysler and TRW make double roller timing chains and all
metal
> gears.
>
> As club member Dr. Gordon in Conn. will confirm, he was driving down the
> highway one day a few months ago, when the engine just stopped. Further
> examination showed that not only had the plastic timing gear shear its
> teeth, but quite a few push rods and valves had been bent. This required
> removing the heads and doing a valve job. Dr. Gordon's late 1974 brown
> Interceptor III only had 35,000 miles on it.
>
> So you see, it's not just mileage but age of the car.
>
> GET THOSE PLASTIC CAM TIMING GEARS CHANGED NOW!
> =============
> Hal Kendall, PT1-75
>
>
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