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Metal in the Oil Pan

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jcatnite

jcatnite

Jedi Knight
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Just finished replacing the thrust washers in my 76 Midget. I had bought a set of STD big end bearings to install as well but I lost my bet on that one. Even though it seems pretty gummed up inside aparently someone has been inside the engine before. The rod bearings were .010" and when I mic'd the journals the readings were consistent with a ground crank. So, the old bearings were in good shape and were reinstalled. Anyway, when I droped the pan I found the attached pieces laying in the pan. They are metalic and seem like spring metal. I'm guessing they belong to the timing chain tensioner but haven't dug into the front of the engine yet. The argument against is that the timing is pretty stable on accel and decel and I would think it would bounce around a bit with that piece missing. Any ideas on what I might have found?
https://xs.to/xs.php?h=xs39&d=05300&f=P7310751.JPG
https://xs.to/xs.php?h=xs39&d=05300&f=P7310752.JPG
Thanks,
JC
 
Those are definitly timing chain tensioner chunks.

Mark
 
Thanks, looks like I need to order a timing chain cover gasket...lol..
JC
 
Yeah, ditto on the timing chain chunks...I just changed mine.
For what it's worth, I would never put old rod bearing back in an engine, even if they look good (especially after running loose thrust washers). But it's your call, of course.
 
I did put the old bearings back in but I didn't sleep very well last night. I couldn't stop second guessing that decision. I spent so long under the car yesterday that I wanted to just get one thing completed... I guess while the car is up in the air, I will go ahead and pull the timing chain cover off and see what is going on there. I might as well pull the oil pan back off and get some new bearings for the rods as well. I can't help but wonder if the timing chain tensioner chunks might have been left in there after someone else had a problem with it. The reason I ask that is wouldn't the timing be pretty erratic with a loose chain? My timing is pretty stable but it has to be set pretty high which might indicate it slipped a tooth or two at sometime before I bought it. I hate missing this primo topless weather but I guess I'd rather miss a couple of weeks instead of an entire summer. Thanks for helping me make up my mind...
JC
 
Metal in the oil pan? considering some of the build quality of some of the last Brit leyland products it could be worse.It could be plastic.Notice I didn't say wood, thats is in there.
 
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