Timing assembly diagram needed ... 1991 3800

[DaveFromColorado]

blown-up diagram needed ...

 

I'm looking for blown up diagram of the timing chain assembly (cover, chain, sensor and all that other good stuff) if anyone happens to have a copy of this, that'd be great.

 

I degreased my engine today, to see that I've got an ironhead 3800 - well, I figure I'm not gonna do the headgaskets, (I'll replace the engine before I do the headgaskets on it) but I did find that my valve cover gaskets suck real bad, as does my intake manifold gasket - so those are two things getting replaced, for sure -

 

--Dave.

[DiscoStudd]

FYI, all Buick V6's (231's, 3.8s, 3800's and their derivatives) have iron heads...

[DaveFromColorado]

I thought the newer ones were all alum. headed.

 

Good to know.

 

--Dave.

[DiscoStudd]

Is this what your 3800 looks like?

 

 

 

If it is, then you might find the diagrams I scanned from my 1992 LeSabre FSM helpful:

 

http://www.likeabigdog.com/random/L27timingcover.jpg[/img]

 

http://www.likeabigdog.com/random/L27timingchain.jpg[/img]

 

 

FWIW, I remember the old carbed 3.8's (the Buick 231 as we used to call them) were the ones that had the problems with the timing chains snapping. Someone might want to confirm or deny this, but I heard that when the 3.8/231 was "redesigned" into the 3800, the timing chain problems were addressed and weren't such an issue like they were on the older design...

[DaveFromColorado]

... that engine is a TOTAL mess, but yeah, mine looks basically like that one ...

 

From what I heard, they aren't using the nylon timing sets anymore - and those were the major cause for timing chain breakage.

 

 

on mine, I gotta replace the cam sensor, and the cam sensor-magnet, so I figured while I'm in there, I may as well replace the chain too, won't hurt anything, or take that much extra time.

 

I have since degreased my engine, and it looks much better now.

 

By the way ... what is that engine in anyhow?

 

--Dave.

[99RegalGS]

GM did only make a few aluminium heads for the 3800. None were production. ZZP's Drag car has a set..

 

Also Dave, you have a non-EGR L27

[DaveFromColorado]

non-EGR L27 ... good to know.

 

I know this was the earlier year of this motor which only produced 165hp ... that's about all I know of it.

 

--Dave.

[ToroToro]

No, it was the LN3 3800 that had 165 HP. It had the intake manifold that looked like the older 3.8 motors, and it was never put in a W.

 

Your L27 has 170HP, just like the newer ones with EGR and the composite intake manifold.

[DaveFromColorado]

I could've sworn that 1992 was the first year of the 170hp 3800, 88 - 91 got the 165 version, prior to that, they had the old cast manifolds.

 

--Dave.

[DiscoStudd]

By the way ... what is that engine in anyhow?

That was the motor in my old 92 LeSabre (which I still have the FSM for.)

 

The switch to the composite manifold came in 93 and did not result in a HP or TQ increase. The EGR was also tacked onto the front exhaust mani in 93, due to the non-EGR L27's tendencies to burn up exhaust valves (at least that's what I've been told - my 92 LeSabre had 200k on it when I traded it and it never burned up any valves at all.)

 

If the timing set had nylon gears, then wouldn't it not use a chain? The pre-89 Iron Dukes used a nylon timing set with no chain (the gears meshed together...)

[DaveFromColorado]

well, I know at least in the older 3.0's they used an aluminum gear, with a nylon cover with a steel chain - it was a crappy setup, because after time the nylon would brake off the gear all togheter. They did this to help keep the engines quieter, and because the parts were 1/3 the price.

 

Either way, I'm thinkin' I should do the timing set when I replace the sensor/magnet - you think that'd be somethin' we could complete over the weekend?

 

Timing cover, and oil pan have to come off for that tho.

 

--Dave.

[DiscoStudd]

So ixnay on the eadgaskets-hay, then? That might be quite the chore, especially trying to get the oil pan out. How much time do you have on your hands this weekend?

[DaveFromColorado]

I told Jax not to expect to see me, till the car is done! LOL

 

hit me up on messanger - I'm on right now.

 

--Dave.

[99RegalGS]

I replaced the timing chain on my old Regal. IIRC it took about 4-5 hours. That's including breaks and having to run to a parts store. lol

[DaveFromColorado]

Sounds like a good saturday project ... then sunday we can do the springs in DiscoStudd's car.

 

--Dave.

[DiscoStudd]

Sounds like a plan. I just took the Regal for her maiden spring voyage on Saturday and found that I need to replace the rear valve cover gasket, so that'll give me something to do on Monday .

 

I'll jump on messenger tonight when I get home from work ...

[DaveFromColorado]

I think I need an intake manifold gasket too ... maybe one more heat cycle after the degreasing, and I should have a better view of it.

 

--Dave.