Guest jtotheb Posted October 3, 2012 Share Posted October 3, 2012 Hi Guys,I wonder if anyone can help I have a 1968 Wildcat which is my pride and joy unfortunately the oil pump failed and the engine has siezed so its a rebuild what I,m missing is a workshop manual being based in the UK its not something Ican get hold of easily what I need are a few images of how the timing chain fits including the tensioner as there seems to be bits of plastic and the chain came off without unbolting anything, also I need the torque settings etc anything that would help in the rebuild, any help would be greatfully appreiciated thanks in advance Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
66wildcat Posted October 4, 2012 Share Posted October 4, 2012 Faxon Auto Literature:chassis Service Manuals - Shop, Owner, Maintenance and Repair | Faxon Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
NTX5467 Posted October 4, 2012 Share Posted October 4, 2012 Check out the www.wildaboutcarsonline.com website. Head over to "Brand Central -- Buick" and click on "factory publications", then follow the links to the particular model year and then to the several files of sections of the Buick service manual. It's all scans of an original manual. You can download and save the particular files for future reference.It does take registration to get into the website, but it's free and takes just a few minutes. LOTS of neat stuff in there!Great looking cars!NTX5467 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest jtotheb Posted October 4, 2012 Share Posted October 4, 2012 Thanks Guys that's great, much appreciated Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JZRIV Posted October 4, 2012 Share Posted October 4, 2012 The original timing cam gear had nylon teeth overmolded on an aluminum gear. This was done in an attempt to quiet down the gear set. These nylon teeth are notorious for becoming brittle with age and falling off ending up in the oil pan and loosening the chain in the process in turn reducing performance. It sounds consistent with the condition you have explained. There is no tensioner on the timing chain. When you install a new timing gear set, the tension will be perfect. Note the new replacement sets will be steel. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JohnD1956 Posted October 4, 2012 Share Posted October 4, 2012 Hi Guys,I wonder if anyone can help I have a 1968 Wildcat which is my pride and joy unfortunately the oil pump failed and the engine has siezed ...Please tell us a bit more about the engine seizing. Seized to me means, you cannot spin the engine over, at all. Since you have the timing chain off, please tell us if you can rotate the crankshaft by putting a breaker bar on the nut that would hold the harmonic balancer on? Since the timing chain fell off you are going to have to rotate the crankshaft in order to align the new timing chain set. And if you can spin the crankshaft then chances very good that you do not need to rebuild the engine. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
NTX5467 Posted October 4, 2012 Share Posted October 4, 2012 I think y'all might be forgetting about the possibility of bent valves, if the timing chain failed with the engine running. A definite possibility, more on some engines than others, though . . . even if the crank will still turn.To me, if the crank will still turn, that means the bottom half of things might be fine, but the heads and such might need some attention. If you get it restarted after the timing chain and cam sprocket is replaced (with a steel cam sproket, as mentioned, replacing the factory nylon-style item . . . which generally failed at about the 80K mile range on many GM vehicles) and the engine runs rough and has definite "misses", then a compression check might reveal the valve issue. OR you could just go ahead and pull the heads (for good measure) for a general information check. This way, you'll probably see some definite "marks" on the tops of the pistons IF valve/piston contact indeed took place . . . or absence of them. I think I'd do the "get it running again" operation and go from there. (fingers crosssed!)Just some thoughts,NTX5467Just some thoughts . . .NTX5467 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest jtotheb Posted October 8, 2012 Share Posted October 8, 2012 well Guys took the bottom end apart needs a crank regrind plus shells, lots of sludge on the bottom of the oil pan so I'm guessing a new refurb kit for that, haven't taken the heads off but that's the next thing, waiting for a quote from an engine builder today who can do the machining etc I'll keep you updated Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest jtotheb Posted October 8, 2012 Share Posted October 8, 2012 Guys a pic of the Wildcat Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
NTX5467 Posted October 8, 2012 Share Posted October 8, 2012 Nice looking cat!NTX5467 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest jtotheb Posted October 9, 2012 Share Posted October 9, 2012 Thanks,just got a quote for a rebuild but I will need to supply the parts I was wondering if any of you Guys could recommend a good engine parts supplier in the United States,I have seen a couple on ebay but its always good to get a recommendation. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
old-tank Posted October 9, 2012 Share Posted October 9, 2012 Most machine shops have a source for parts. Start there and if they can't get it check with NAPA, which still has alot of old parts at decent prices (stay away from Rare Parts branded items like from Advance auto parts --- 3x the cost). Egge Machine will have everything you need, but somewhat pricey, slow shipping and hard to return incorrect items.Good Luck Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
garyd75 Posted October 9, 2012 Share Posted October 9, 2012 if its to toast ive got a 67 430 from a cat in my garage. its the big port head. my friend ships a container every 6 months to rotterdam. he has his engines rebuilt by a machine shop here in Raleigh before he ships them back Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest jtotheb Posted October 10, 2012 Share Posted October 10, 2012 Thanks for that I,ll know better next week when I take it to the machine shop, how much would an engine be. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest jtotheb Posted October 24, 2012 Share Posted October 24, 2012 Hi Guys, just had a call from the engine rebuilder its not good it needs a rebore new pistons new cam etc basically a master kit, can anybody recommend which parts/kits to buy ie which manufactures etc any help greatly appreciated Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
garyd75 Posted October 24, 2012 Share Posted October 24, 2012 have you thought of a 455 the engines look the same on the exterior parts interchange and are easier to find Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest jtotheb Posted October 24, 2012 Share Posted October 24, 2012 problem I have is that I,m based here in the UK but I guess I'd like to keep that engine as its the original engine it left the factory with but your right a 455 would be cool! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Brad Conley Posted October 27, 2012 Share Posted October 27, 2012 (edited) For every part you will need, I would contact TA Performance. TA Performance Products Inc. - Your Leader in Buick Automotive Parts and Accessories is the link to their website. In my opinion, it would be worth the cost of a phone call to them to explain your situation (overseas, shipping, etc.). Have your rebuilder get a list of parts you will need and call them. Ask to talk with Mike (the owner) and tell him I sent you. He's a great guy.Added in edit: You do NOT want to go over .030 overbore on the cylinders. Mike has all the specifications your rebuilder needs to follow (this is a BUICK and not a Chevy - all the bearing/ring gaps/etc clearances are different and MUST be adhered to). If, for example, you set your bearing clearances to chevy specs, you will ALWAYS have low oil pressure Edited October 27, 2012 by Brad Conley (see edit history) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Recommended Posts
Create an account or sign in to comment
You need to be a member in order to leave a comment
Create an account
Sign up for a new account in our community. It's easy!
Register a new accountSign in
Already have an account? Sign in here.
Sign In Now