Timing Gears Instead Of A Chain

[ZZ]

When I changed my water pump last weekend; I noticed that my truck doesn't have a timing chain. Is this factory or is it an upgrade?

[FWBennett]

If ya got the two little gears attached horozontally between the vertical cam and crank gears then YES it's an upgrade someone did and you scored, cuz they're about $300. If ya didn't see the little horozontal gears then you may not have doug deep enough back behind the timing cover and only saw the Injection Pump's driving gear. The cam gear and that gear are 2 deep on the cam and usually there's a sheet metal baffel between them so at first glance it looks like all gears and no chain.

[ZZ]

The gears were both steel and meshed together in the middle of the hole in the front cover. I was looking for the chain to check for play and I just don't believe it was there.

[KEVIN MUNCASTER]

nah, that's just your injection pump timing gears. The cam chain is in behind them. You really have to dig deep. Oh, you might as well have a chain and gears handy, cuz you'll need 'em. I took mine out at 215,000 km (125,000 miles) and they were whipped. Put the DSG dual idler in, it makes the engine run soooooo sweet. Start-up is instant when the timing is tight....like a new truck !!! :D

[ZZ]

Mercy, you sure know how to make a guy's day.

Seriously, thanks for the info. I didn't think to look or feel behind the gears. They seemed to be big heavy gears just to pull the pump.

[arveetek]

Take a look at my 6.2L rebuild photo album (click on the photo link in my sig and then choose "6.2L rebuild" album), and you can see the pics I took as I tore the engine apart. You can see as you tear the engine down where the timing chain actually is. You can't see it by just removing the water pump and plate. You have to remove the injection pump gear and then an oil baffle to actually see the top of the cam gear and timing chain.

Casey

[ZZ]

Thanks, seeing is believing. Those are some good pics.