Date: Mon, 26 Mar 2001 05:45:42 GMT From: Rick and Lorie Mieras <rlmierasnopsamsplanet.net> Subject: Re: Timing chain replacement woes. Help!
Update: a friend dropped by, and spotted a plastic clutch inspection cover on the transmission. We removed the cover and by sticking a good solid prybar in the clutch with moi reefing on the 30mm socket on the pulley, Voila! Off it came. Sometimes all a person needs is another set of eyes. Rick and Lorie Mieras wrote: > Have the head off my '87 9000T ( blew the headgasket at 235,000 Ks) and > I'm thinking maybe it's a good idea to renew the chain whilst I'm there. > Problem is, the engine is still in the car, how the ##%&*!! do I get off > the crankpulley and oilpump ETC so I can release the chain from the > bottom of the engine? My Saab manual says to use a special tool which > locks the flywheel, that's because they remove the engine from the car > and then split off the tranny. I tried using the wheelbrakes with the > trans in 4th gear, no good, gonna break something...and if I decide to > replace the guides too, then I HAVE to get the blasted timing cover off. > I know there is a chain available with a removable link, is this as good > quality a chain as the original Saab chain, and will it run thru the > guides OK? > My chain was running noise-free, what is the reasonable life of this > thing? What is the overall experience of people here, please advise.The > local dealer is no help, mech says he's never seen one break. > And speaking of "while I'm here" what is recommended for the head? > How much will a valve job/seals and guides replacement going to cost > moi? Should the head need planing? I drove about 20 kilometers on 3 > cylinders, with a large chunk of headgasket material sticking out!