Can anyone tell me if the original cam sprocket for a 69 GS400 was made of nylon, or if it was cast iron or steel? The reason I ask, is that in the oil pan, there are alot of pieces that resemble teeth. Since I am rebuilding the motor anyway, I removed the timing cover and found a cast iron sprocket. Under the sprocket, laying in the block indentation, I found the same pieces. I'm assuming that the timing set has been replaced and pieces of evidence are laying in my oil pan. Can anyone tell me if I'm thinking correctly? Thanks for looking!
You have it correct. The OEM gear was a nylon covered aluminum gear. The plastic pieces would eventually break off and get into the oil pan. Sometimes the gear would just be replaced and they would leave the pieces in the pan. That was a BAD idea as they would get sucked into the pickup screen and cut off some oil flow. Sometimes they would even get through the flapper door in the screen and into the engine. :eek2: Makes sure you clean out all the oil passages in case some of the nylon got in there. Regards, Mark
I am 15, and I own a 1970 Buick Skylark 350 2bbl, and I have the same exact problem with the cam sprocket. It is plastic and I also found many pieces of the plastic in there. I ordered a new chain, cam and crank sprocket. I will also replace the screen and the gaskets and oil seals in some places. But here is my question, I see two holes for the oil passages. I use a compressor, i blow into the bottom one to the left of the timing sprockets and the air comes out of the oil pan somewhere. The top one on the same side doesnt really blow anywhere. Could it be going into the (fogot what its called), where the lifters are? I also observed another hole behing the cam sprocket. Does anyone know where that leads to?? Anyway, thank you if you reply. sewwes
The bottom hole to the left of the sprocket goes to the pickup screen in the oil pan. The top one goes to the lifter galley and then down to the main bearings. I am not sure what hole behind the sprocket you are referring to. There are 2 plugs that cover the lifter galley. Maybe someone else can give you an idea of what hole you are seeing there. Regards, Mark
Thanks for the help. I'm not sure if that was a hole. guess not. I have another question. The reason I am checking all this is because the previos owner (my uncle) said that the oil filter litteraly blew up. Am I on the right track by clean out the oil lines?
The only time I have heard of an oil filter blowing up is if the pressure regulator valve in the oil pump cover jams and the pressure goes very high. There was a Buick service bulletin about this happening on 67 motors that had a valve without a cutout in it. Am pretty sure every valve from 68 on up had the cutout. In your case, the valve could have just been stuck. What I would really be concerned about is if any of the plastic from the cam gear got sent through the motor and you have pieces in the oil passages. Most like, it should all be in the oil pan. However, if the filter became damaged, pieces could have gone past the filter if they got by the pickup screen. Blowing into the passages would only force them deeper into the motor. Once you get the oil pan off, look to see if any of them got past the oil screen flapper valve. If that looks good, you should be ok. Just give things a good look over and decide from there. Hope this helps, Mark
There were some pieces in the oil pump and in the oil pan. Is that good? Im going to put everything back together and see if it works good. I hope so.
In the oil pump means some got past the screen. Your best bet may be to put it back together and see what happens. Hopefully the filter caught it and that is why it blew out. Just keep an eye on oil pressure and any odd noise you may hear. Good luck, Mark
Oh. I have another question. My buick has a AM radio, the sound doesn't work but I have no clue where the speakers are. Do you know?
One speaker is in the center of the upper dash. You will see the grating right up by the windshield. You need to get the radio out and the center duct if your car has A/C in order to replace it. Rear speaker, if equiped with one, is on the passenger side of the rear package shelf and can be removed through the trunk. The radio itself can be dead if it is not the speakers. Good luck, Mark
