Timing Chain

[Cole]

Does the 1983 1800 Engine have a timing chain or belt? if so where is it?

 

[Ed Fortmiller]

Does the 1983 1800 Engine have a timing chain or belt? if so where is it?

no belt or chain - just gears.

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Ed Fortmiller | (e-mail address removed) | Hudson MA
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[Hallraker]

no belt or chain - just gears.

Not knowing much about belt vs. chain vs. gears, it would sound to me like
the gears would be the best system to use. What then, is the advantage to
switching to a belt or chain?

-Matt

 

[JazzMan]

Not knowing much about belt vs. chain vs. gears, it would sound to me like
the gears would be the best system to use. What then, is the advantage to
switching to a belt or chain?

-Matt

The distance between the crank and the cams. On the pushrod
engines there is only one cam and it's just above the crank,
and since the crank gear is half the tooth count of the cam
gear the two gears fit nicely there. On overhead cam engines
it would be very impractical to have a train of gears running
from the crank to the cams, so a belt or chain isused. Now
in my opinion a well-specified chain drive system is preferred,
but it's more expensive than belts so most makers use rubber
belts to drive the cams.

Plus, using belts builds in a required maintenance cost that
profits the maker to some extent.

JazzMan
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[Rob Munach]

The distance between the crank and the cams. On the pushrod
engines there is only one cam and it's just above the crank,
and since the crank gear is half the tooth count of the cam
gear the two gears fit nicely there. On overhead cam engines
it would be very impractical to have a train of gears running
from the crank to the cams, so a belt or chain isused. Now
in my opinion a well-specified chain drive system is preferred,
but it's more expensive than belts so most makers use rubber
belts to drive the cams.

Plus, using belts builds in a required maintenance cost that
profits the maker to some extent.

JazzMan

I have had some OHC motorcycles that were gear driven. My BMW
motorcycle, however, uses pushrods and is gear driven - just like the
old subes. Gears are typically noisy. My 1990 BMW 325 is belt driven -
however, it is the only car engine that BMW has ever made that is. The
rest are exclusivley chain driven. Belts are likely to be cheaper and
as was preciously stated keeps the service dept's in business.

 

[TG]

NOISE! Chains are noisier than belts and gear drives are noisier yet. The
other consideration is the rotational mass which puts wear on other
components and reduces efficiency. TG

 

[y_p_w]

NOISE! Chains are noisier than belts and gear drives are noisier
yet. The other consideration is the rotational mass which puts
wear on other components and reduces efficiency. TG

Didn't GM bypass the noise issue by using nylon gear teeth for a few
years? Of course the nylon teeth eventually wore away and plugged
up the oil screen and/or filter.

 

[Edward Hayes]

Nothing was more satisfying than the werrrr of my 86 Saabs roller
chain running in oil after 234,000 miles. It was VERY dependable and
is considered a NO maintained item where the timing belt is not. I
love my Forester but, realize that the belt change is due at 105,000
miles and don't forget it or else $$$$$$$$$$$$$$.

 

[jbaker]

Don't know about GM. I do know that Ford use to use fiber teeth on a
steel wheel gear on their 6 cylinders.. My father hated them because
you could plan on it failing around 50-70,000 miles. I can remember
helping him replace the timing gear in his pickups every 2-3 years.

It makes 105,000 miles very acceptable.

Jack