'71 302 Camshaft Sprocket

I recently pulled my motor apart for a what I believe is its first rebuild.
While taking the motor apart I noticed something that seemed odd. the
camshaft sprocket has a plastic type substance that was between the teeth.
It looks like the plastic was molded to the metal sprocket. Was this to
quite the chain? and what years did they do this? The other reason for
asking is that I had a few pieces of what looked like plastic in the oil
pickup filter and in the bottom of the oil pan.

Thanks
Scott

The plastic is indeed to help quiet the chain... Both GM and Ford used this
feature to help the "silent chain" be silent. I can't recall about Dodge.
Far from being odd, this was the norm.


"Scott Van Nest" > wrote in message
news:j0QQe.7085$tT.6841@okepread02...
> I recently pulled my motor apart for a what I believe is its first
rebuild.
> While taking the motor apart I noticed something that seemed odd. the
> camshaft sprocket has a plastic type substance that was between the teeth.
> It looks like the plastic was molded to the metal sprocket. Was this to
> quite the chain? and what years did they do this? The other reason for
> asking is that I had a few pieces of what looked like plastic in the oil
> pickup filter and in the bottom of the oil pan.
>
> Thanks
> Scott
>
>

"Jim Warman" > wrote in news:kZQQe.219039$HI.60678
@edtnps84:

> Far from being odd, this was the norm.

Far from the norm was that his survived this long. They used give up at
about 60,000 miles.

I can't vouch for that part....old technology motors fell victim to our
weather extremes with alarming regularity.... but I have seen many of these
timing chains live long and healthy lives.

Important to remember.... we don't all live in the same
climate/demographic/geographic conditions... all of these weigh heavily on
performance and longevity of various assemblies. My sons 94 half ton still
has, AFAIK. the original timing chain at 230,000 km


"elaich" > wrote in message ...
> "Jim Warman" > wrote in
news:kZQQe.219039$HI.60678
> @edtnps84:
>
> > Far from being odd, this was the norm.
>
> Far from the norm was that his survived this long. They used give up at
> about 60,000 miles.

The car has 147k miles in Dallas weather. I'd say that wasn't too bad.

Thanks
Scott

"Jim Warman" > wrote in message
news:5jTQe.219069$HI.83391@edtnps84...
> I can't vouch for that part....old technology motors fell victim to our
> weather extremes with alarming regularity.... but I have seen many of
these
> timing chains live long and healthy lives.
>
> Important to remember.... we don't all live in the same
> climate/demographic/geographic conditions... all of these weigh heavily on
> performance and longevity of various assemblies. My sons 94 half ton still
> has, AFAIK. the original timing chain at 230,000 km
>
>
> "elaich" > wrote in message ...
> > "Jim Warman" > wrote in
> news:kZQQe.219039$HI.60678
> > @edtnps84:
> >
> > > Far from being odd, this was the norm.
> >
> > Far from the norm was that his survived this long. They used give up at
> > about 60,000 miles.
>
>

Scott Van Nest wrote:
> I recently pulled my motor apart for a what I believe is its first rebuild.
> While taking the motor apart I noticed something that seemed odd. the
> camshaft sprocket has a plastic type substance that was between the teeth.
> It looks like the plastic was molded to the metal sprocket. Was this to
> quite the chain? and what years did they do this? The other reason for
> asking is that I had a few pieces of what looked like plastic in the oil
> pickup filter and in the bottom of the oil pan.
>
> Thanks
> Scott

Other people have made some good comments about this, but I'll make a
few more.
1.Yes, the plastic/nylon was put in there to make it quiet, but I've
yet to have anybody POSITIVELY tell the difference between the metal
and the plastic timing set by putting their ear to it. There really is
no difference in noise between the two. I guess the smart company (at
that time) was Dodge for staying away from the plastic parts.
2. All replacement sets are metal, even if you buy a replacement from
your dealership. (I guess that's an admission that the plastic set was
a POS)
3. Replace the oil pump and pickup assembly while you are there. It's
cheap insurance. I had a '71 Impala one time that had a plugged pickup
assembly from the plastic cam gear coming apart and plugging up the
pickup assembly. I almost lost an engine because of it.

no worries. the motor is getting treated to a 331 stroker kit. with all
the goodies. New heads will have to wait. Gotta hate it when babies are
due in the middle of fun projects.

Scott
"Kruse" > wrote in message
oups.com...
>
> Scott Van Nest wrote:
> > I recently pulled my motor apart for a what I believe is its first
rebuild.
> > While taking the motor apart I noticed something that seemed odd. the
> > camshaft sprocket has a plastic type substance that was between the
teeth.
> > It looks like the plastic was molded to the metal sprocket. Was this to
> > quite the chain? and what years did they do this? The other reason for
> > asking is that I had a few pieces of what looked like plastic in the oil
> > pickup filter and in the bottom of the oil pan.
> >
> > Thanks
> > Scott
>
> Other people have made some good comments about this, but I'll make a
> few more.
> 1.Yes, the plastic/nylon was put in there to make it quiet, but I've
> yet to have anybody POSITIVELY tell the difference between the metal
> and the plastic timing set by putting their ear to it. There really is
> no difference in noise between the two. I guess the smart company (at
> that time) was Dodge for staying away from the plastic parts.
> 2. All replacement sets are metal, even if you buy a replacement from
> your dealership. (I guess that's an admission that the plastic set was
> a POS)
> 3. Replace the oil pump and pickup assembly while you are there. It's
> cheap insurance. I had a '71 Impala one time that had a plugged pickup
> assembly from the plastic cam gear coming apart and plugging up the
> pickup assembly. I almost lost an engine because of it.
>