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258 camshaft exessive end play knock |
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Clunker 
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Joined: Aug/27/2009 Status: Offline Points: 5 |
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 Topic: 258 camshaft exessive end play knockPosted: Sep/28/2009 at 12:10pm |
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Has anyone here ever done the modification to the timing cover for the retrofit spring/pin kit (Chrysler PN 83402890)
 . While the engine is still in the car? |
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billd
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Forum Administrator Joined: Jun/27/2007 Location: Iowa Status: Offline Points: 30894 |
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Posted: Sep/28/2009 at 12:21pm |
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If you are running stock lifters and if the timing chain is any good, there should be NO sound........ the cam will stay put by itself. If you have end slop, there's other issues, IMO.
On the 4.0, it's simply a different cam bolt, spring and pin. The cover is plain. At least on mine. As I recall, the bolt should interchange. So it would be just like changing timing gears. I'll look again, the cover is in the solvent tank, but I don't recall anything special at all. |
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Clunker
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Joined: Aug/27/2009 Status: Offline Points: 5 |
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Posted: Sep/28/2009 at 2:42pm |
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Thanks, but it's a 1977 258 and not a far later 4.0. Chrysler started putting in the spring/pin in the timing cover in the 1991 engines. Because of timing sprocket/camshaft wear problems caused by excessive camshaft lateral movement. Also it causes a strange knocking sound at idle when the camshafts timing gear hits the timing cover. Chrysler made a retrofit kit ( Chrysler PN 83402890) for earlier engines . But I want to know if anyone has done it to a pre-1991 engine ( without problems) while the engine is still in the car and not during an engine rebuild.
thanks again, |
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Wrambler
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Joined: Jul/02/2007 Location: West Virginia Status: Offline Points: 4199 |
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Posted: Sep/28/2009 at 3:07pm |
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I wish I had a dollar for every mid 80's AMC I put those pins in...
Oh, wait, I did get dollars, I spent them! yeah, it is not that big a deal to put the pin and bolt in since you are not trying to get the cam out, makes the whole process much easier! I can't remember exact details of how long the job takes, but the problem of cam knock first appeared somewhere in the mid 80's. The timing cover that is on the engine will work fine, the pin does not put much pressure on it, just enough to stabilize the cam. I'd plan on a new chain and gears unless it has been done recently. |
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Wrambler
69 AMC Rambler 4.0L, 5 speed 2015 Grand Cherokee Limited 2019 Chrysler 300 |
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billd
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Posted: Sep/28/2009 at 3:34pm |
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This simple - remove timing cover, remove current bolt. Install new bolt, spring, etc., reinstall cover.
I saw it was a 258, I'd just never seen or heard of the issue on the engines clean up through the late 70's and I've had a number of 'em. Odd on a 77, IMO. Didn't figure there was an issue until into the 80s. Even then, I've had a number of 80-something 258s as well and never had an issue, clear up through 1984. I've put many thousands of miles on a number of 258s so maybe I was lucky! They were always very quiet and smooth. If it's doing that, yes, count on a chain and sprockets, too. In any case, it's simple, no engine modifications. |
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poormansMACHINE
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Posted: Sep/28/2009 at 3:51pm |
They used it before 91. My 89 had it. |
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Wrambler
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Posted: Sep/28/2009 at 5:31pm |
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I wish I could recall for the record when we first started adding them to the Eagles and assorted fsjeeps. had a bit of a time figuring out the noise was different than the standard carbon buildup knock. Once they sorted it all and we started installing the bolts/pins/springs things went pretty smooth. Had some pretty irate customers for a few weeks!
I've never built a six without one since then, way to simple a device to not use.
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Wrambler
69 AMC Rambler 4.0L, 5 speed 2015 Grand Cherokee Limited 2019 Chrysler 300 |
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billd
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Forum Administrator Joined: Jun/27/2007 Location: Iowa Status: Offline Points: 30894 |
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Posted: Sep/28/2009 at 6:55pm |
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I've personally never seen/had the issue before 1984 model year. Worked on a number of 'em up to that time. Since it's basically a hollow bolt, spring and pin, no reason not to install it. Besides, you get a new bolt that way!
It just makes sense to install them in any 258/4.0 Edited by billd - Sep/28/2009 at 6:55pm |
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farna
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Moderator Lost Dealership Project Joined: Jul/08/2007 Location: South Carolina Status: Offline Points: 19692 |
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Posted: Sep/28/2009 at 7:40pm |
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Must have been due to a slight change in the timing chain or cam. I'd never heard of it being a problem on earlier engines OR the 4.0L, actually, though the 4.0L always had a button or keeper. New replacement timing sets would be of the new design if there was a change since early and late interchange. Could just be the quality (tightness/looseness) of the newer chains vs. the older ones. A "stiff" chain would have less fire and aft movement than a "loose" one.
Edited by farna - Sep/28/2009 at 7:41pm |
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Frank Swygert
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Clunker wrote: