HI all...

If you have read any of my previous threads, I have been fighting a tick tick tick after I had a shop put new heads on. Well well well, I think I found the answer but let me tell you where I am at now...

So, since I was convinced that a lifter collapsed, and the unscrupelous shop I went back to SIX TIMES refused to fix and and tried to smoke screen me saying my transmission was wrong, and my CPS what making the noise--- I went ahead, said if you want it done right, do it yourself -- and ordered: new lifters, new pushrods, new Harland Sharp 1.7 roller rockers , timing chain and water pump.

Today I started to tear it down. Took most everything off and now I am ready to take the exhaust maifolds off. I started to take them off, they came off without much effort and then I SAW IT! The G-- D---- AHole who put my heads on DIDNT USE EXHAUST MANIFOLD GASKETS!!!!

So, I sat there in disgust for awhile and said well screw it. I have new lifters, and everything else, lets just do it. Well well well, the new design of the head doesn't allow you to removed the lifters so I went ahead and just tore it all down...

Tomorrow, I am going to have the heads re-certified by the head shop. They said they would do that as a courtesy. Nice guys at Clearwater Cylinder Head...real pros

Now----Question....please help if you can...

I am going to do the timing chain. Is basically all I need to do is turn the motor to TDC, take the chain off, line up the marks with the new sprockets and then put them on??? Can I do this with the heads off???

If anyone could give me a step by step or any help, it would be greatly appreciated!

Thanks all for the help and listening....Sounds like I am finally going to kill the demons......

 

.....

 

Make sure TDC is really TDC. The cam turns once for every two crank revolutions. So it is possible to be at the TDC mark and have the cam 180 degrees off.

 

Oh and...although I'm not one to say I told you so (cough, cough) but um...post #2...(cough, cough).

https://dodgeforum.com/forum/dodge-r...s-and-cps.html

 

yes...but who would think they would have forgot BOTH gaskets

thanks

 

You would be surprised how many mechanics "don't believe in them".

 

That is scary.

 

I'm a half-member of that strange and perverse cult. I use a trick I learned from the turbo V8 drag racers to cure the most incurable leaky exhaust systems. I make sure the manifold/header/head surfaces are as flat as possible, and then using nothing but spray-on copper RTV in between. This works great for the turbo flanges as well. Flawless exhaust sealing, last as long as anything, holds up to repeated 7/8 second passes in turbo drag cars and street cars.

Now, back when both of my 68's were made, the machines mating surfaces were simply mated with no additional components. Alot of mechanics still believe that this is the way to go.

 

I listened to 2 know-it-alls argue for a half hour over the topic of exhaust manifold gaskets.

Amazing how many act like opinions are fact and just argue, seemingly for the sake of argument, using second hand and third hand stories of failures with and without, in all different applications that back up their point of view.

Filled with sound and fury, signifying nothing.

That was not directed at anyone here just a general rant.

Sounds like the shop the OP used believed in their immediate bottom line only.

Re aligning the manifolds to the engine on a Van is tough enough without having to get pesky gaskets in there as well centered and properly torqued, and then torqued again after a few heat cycles.

 

Getting back on topic concerning the installation of your new parts... you may wish to look at installing a chain guide / tensioner when you do your timing gears and chain. When you have the old gears removed the guide plate simply bolts into place against the front of the engine before you install the new gears and chain. Supposedly keeps the timing chain completely silent and takes up slack as you add mileage, thereby helping to keep your idle smooth down the road. Cheap to buy, too - only costs like $30.