timing gear for '63 401

[sergio]

I've been doing some exploratory surgery on my '63 Rivi with a 401. I am wondering what is the composition of the timing gear on this engine? Is it the cheap plastic that tends to break? Car runs great but is definitely over 100k miles. Debating changing the timing gear as preventative maintenance.

[DugsSin]

Sergio it sounds like it's time for a new timing set. Yes the plastic composite gear get brittle and cracks over time and the chain stretches too causing poor performance.
New sets are not hard to come buy and you can even upgrade to a billet set if you go the performance route.

[sergio]

I might tear into it tonight. It looks like one of the main bolts sheared off. All of the "little" bolts that hold the water pump on are sheared off! Oh well. What is the story with the main seal upgrade? Anybody have any experience with this? If I rememeber my old 455 correctly, the original is a rope seal. The new ones are neoprene, right? As always, any help is appreciated.

[heidigirl]

bop engineering makes a viton seal. follow the installation instructions. should work.

[sergio]

I've run into a couple of issues with the timing gear. 1.- Coolant dribbles out of one of the bolt holes that is tapped in the block. It seems to me that this should not be normal. Is this normal or has that bolt pierced into the water jacket? 2.- The timing chain that Advance Auto and NAPA indicate is way too short. Anybody know the correct part number??

[heidigirl]

it is common enough for some bolts to penetrate a water jacket and the repair manual will advise you to apply a sealant. can't help you with the timing chain question.

[DugsSin]

Front seal is for a Buick 455.
National # 450446 some say they like this one best. Federal Mogul # 474272 or CR19786.

NAPA has been good up here with getting parts for my '57 but maybe it's the ole guy reading the catalog that knows what he's doing.

You could call either one of these guys and they could supply you with any Nailhead part you need.
Tom Telesco (203)324-6045 business hours
or Carmen Faso at J&C's parts (716)693-4090
They both deal with Nailheads everyday.

[sergio]

In S.A. Gear, the part number is TC-491. Look for this 491 number in Cloyes, etc.