So I just purchased a 70 GS 350 and I was told when I bought it that it hasn't run in 4 years. I tried starting it and the for some reason the distributor is not turning. Does anyone know of what might cause this? Before I start taking this thing apart I wanted to see if one of you guys know where to look first. Thanks for your help in advance.
Broken key on the cam? Remove the dis,and see if you can spin the gear on the cam with a screw driver or something long enough to reach it.Or the gear on the dis has a broken expandsion pin that lets the gear spin freely,but not the rotor(check this first,if its not this,the timing chain cover/oilpump assembly,should be removed) Or the original plastic timing chain cam gear is toast,either way the front cover should be removed for inspection. Good luck.
The distributor gear runs off the cam. The cam runs off the crank So if the timing change was broken, then the cam would not turn, and same with the distributor. You could take off a valve cover to see if the valves are moving. Could the gear on the distributor be broken? I suppose it could be. Easiest thing is to mark the rotor position on the distributor, and mark the distributor position on the timing cover. Then pull it out. If the gear is there and looks ok,... it must be the timing chain, With a light you might be able to see it down though the distributor hole... try turning the crank and see if the va
I tried spinning the key on the gear with a screw driver and it spins freely. The gear on the dist looks like its working fine as well so I guess just pull the timing cover off and take a look would be the next step right?
Sounds like you're already past this step, but make sure the roll pin that holds the gear on the distributor is in place and not broken.
Make sure you have the dis in when you turn the crank to see if the valves are moving with the valve a cover off,or the mark on the dis for the rotor position won't mean anything anymore.(don't know your skill level,so I thought I would point that out) And timing chains don't break very often,its usually the plastic cam gear(if it has the original) that fails,and strips out,over time they get brittle after 40+ years of use. ---------- Post added at 01:10 PM ---------- Previous post was at 01:05 PM ---------- What do you mean by the key spins freely? Did you mean the gear on the key spins? If so,you have a broken key on your cam,the gear should only spin when the cam is being spun by the timing chain and gears.
So the pistons are moving but the valves are not. It doesn't look like the cam is turning so I'm gonna look into the timing chain and plastic cam gear first. Steve why would it be a joke?
So there's no connection between the crank and cam. Could be a few things... - timing chain broken - lets hope its this one - plastic/nylon gears stripped - lets hope its this one too - broken cam shaft gear - more work to replace the cam, likely a rebuild in order Its likely a timing chain issue, not much money and you can do this yourself, get yourself a factory 1970 service manual. You'll need the chain, and a timing cover gasket. I can send you the section from my manual in email, just PM me
Hopefully the pistons didn't smack any valves,do a compression test after you replace what ever is broken.If the test is not so good,you'll need to remove the heads and have them rebuilt. Will probably need to replace valves if they got bent from the piston hitting them?(I hope it didn't)
I don't think a stock motor is an interference engine...even if the timing chain broke free piston should never meet valve.
Yea I'm hoping it is just a timing chain issue as well. I have a newly rebuilt 455 I'm gonna throw in it, but I would be really happy if the stock 350 still runs because I only bought this car for $900 bucks. There's no rust whatsoever as the car was painted 4 years ago and is in excellent shape. Here's a couple of pics.
> cam/dist gear is replaceable by itself on a 350 . if dist is bad 455 same i believe except for gear teeth count - and could also switch over to HEI easily if you are so inclined . > if that timing cover is coming off it's a good time to check out oil pump and service/update that a little if needed . probably just usual timing chain snap . nice lookin car .
Joe, I'm re-posting this reply since my previous one didn't go through and the server looked like it crashed. Anyway, that was a great score for $900. Congrats! You have the exact car that I'm going to be in the market for pretty soon. I specifically want a Fremont-built '70 that has a white top. By the way, what's the build date on it? If you get her running, hold onto her-- I might track you down and buy it from youp Anyway, regarding the distributor-- it does sound like a broken timing chain or at the least broken nylon cam gear teeth. If it broke with the engine running (and especially if it was under load on the road) likely there's going to be valve damage too, unfortunately. Well, you can either swap on a set of heads or put the 455 in there and get her running. Again, great score, and we'll be looking forward to seeing her on the road soon:TU: Cheers! --Chris
So I got the timing cover off and it was the timing chain but it also damaged the timing cover and cam. It was in pieces so there was quite a bit of damage from the chain ripping off the cam. So now I'm pulling the motor out and I'm gonna go thru the top end to see what is all involved. I'm gonna order a new cam, lifters, chain, cam bearings and also I have to find a timing cover for cheap. Any suggestions on cams I should look at that will work with the stock valve train but add a little something. Here's a couple pics of the damage.
