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Re: VS Ecotec Timing Chain

Posted: Thu May 23, 2019 11:05 pm
by VSRaptor
If you watch on YouTube, mellings show how they prime a LS pump after a engine rebuild.
https://youtu.be/539ClWWJMl8

Re: VS Ecotec Timing Chain

Posted: Thu May 23, 2019 11:14 pm
by VSRaptor
vlad01 wrote:I once had an engine so dry it wouldn't prime, even after cranking until the battery died with the plugs out. Turned out that since the engine sat for some 15 years all traces of oil in the pump were gone. I had to remove the oil pressure switch and pour in oil there to get some oil into the pump, oil filter method didn't work.

Got it primed in the end though.


In my new engine in the VP I packed the pump with petroleum jelly as I knew it would sit for a year or 2 before starting. Did the trick nearly 2 years after assembly. For a few weeks to a few months oil would be fine.
Did you pack it under the gears in the timing cover cavity and the pump gears as well?
Does oil have to be changed after using petro jelly?

Re: VS Ecotec Timing Chain

Posted: Mon May 27, 2019 10:42 pm
by VSRaptor
Finally managed to set aside some free time to do the timing chain. Well the tensioner guide is completely gone. Fitted the new crow timing chain and new tensioner. Sprocket says JP and I wonder if crow uses their stuff but package it under the crow name. The gasket the factory ecotec uses on the timing cover and oil filter housing is really good, can't seem to find that style anymore, all paper stuff.

Re: VS Ecotec Timing Chain

Posted: Tue May 28, 2019 7:37 am
by v6bucket
The tensioner was certainly well worn.

Re: VS Ecotec Timing Chain

Posted: Tue May 28, 2019 8:27 am
by immortality
That tensioner is about what to expect from a high mileage engine. Intense and ZZP do original gaskets.
http://intense-racing.com/Merchant2/mer ... de=3800_GH

Re: VS Ecotec Timing Chain

Posted: Tue May 28, 2019 10:33 am
by VSRaptor
The Holden factory manual and even the GM Buick manual mention the cam sprocket bolt to be tighten to 90 to 110nm plus 86 to 94 degree angle turn. Ellery manual state 30 to 40 nm. I know when I loosened the nut, it was far more than the 30 mm, more like my wheel nuts torque.
I can see why it has to be that tight, it has the cam sprocket, the balance shaft drive gear behind the cam sprocket, the balance shaft gear and the shaft itself. That cam sprocket bolt is rotating quite a few parts responsible for taking out the vibrations.

Re: VS Ecotec Timing Chain

Posted: Tue May 28, 2019 7:50 pm
by vlad01
My manual states 190-200nm but the initial torque plus degrees is a more accurate method.

ZZP states

74 ft/lbs (100Nm) + 90 degrees. This is what I used.

Re: VS Ecotec Timing Chain

Posted: Wed May 29, 2019 12:44 am
by VSRaptor
The harmonic balancer bolt, what is the red stuff under the bolt flange on the inside? Thread sealant? It's like a orange/brown color to stop the oil seeoing past I guess.
It has a small amount of rtv in the balncer keyway from someone who removed it before.

Re: VS Ecotec Timing Chain

Posted: Wed May 29, 2019 8:55 pm
by vlad01
Thats a pre applied dry sealant.


Just add a very thin coat of RTV or loctite flange sealant under the head of the bolt and torque to 300Nm.


If there is RTV on the keyway then someone has been in there and incorrectly applied it. It should only be under the head of the bolt.

Re: VS Ecotec Timing Chain

Posted: Thu May 30, 2019 10:22 pm
by VSRaptor
I did put a very small amount rtv under the bolt flange where that factory stuff was. The rtv in the balancer keyway is perfectly shaped to the key on the crank, no excess rtv protruding out of the edges nor any on the crank key or shaft at all, looks like it's been put there when made from the factory. There is no other rtv inside the balancer bolt hole.
Made my own bar to hold the balancer to torque it to the 300nm spec. Makes life easy.