timing chain?

[96blazerlt4x4]

the v6 4.3 highoutput vin W

it has a timing chain correct?

my husband seems to think it doesnt....he thinks its run off a serpentine belt

[herkyhawki]

Yes it has a timing chain. It is right behind the cleverly-named "timing cover"

[the87hyper]

Originally Posted by 96blazerlt4x4

the v6 4.3 highoutput vin W

it has a timing chain correct?

my husband seems to think it doesnt....he thinks its run off a serpentine belt

Yes you are 100% correct. If your husband thinks a serpentine belt does timing, he may as well just give you the tools and let you goto town on the truck! The serpentine belt is for accessories, ie... alternator, air conditioning, water pump, emissions, power steering, and so forth.

[96blazerlt4x4]

now..when does the timing chAIN need to be replaced??

we have 166k on the truck

[the87hyper]

Originally Posted by 96blazerlt4x4

now..when does the timing chAIN need to be replaced??

we have 166k on the truck

Replace it. The more the chain stretches the more your timing is off. I'd say every 75K.

[Jeremy Fitch]

Most of the time timing chains never need to be replaced! Timing belts are what need replaced. A timing chain is made to last the life of the engine. I would not replace it unless you have a problem.

[Gabe25]

Originally Posted by Jeremy Fitch

Most of the time timing chains never need to be replaced! Timing belts are what need replaced. A timing chain is made to last the life of the engine. I would not replace it unless you have a problem.

I agree 100%, and there is no timing adjustment to be done. Just exactly what kind of trouble are you experiencing?

[the87hyper]

Originally Posted by Jeremy Fitch

Most of the time timing chains never need to be replaced! Timing belts are what need replaced. A timing chain is made to last the life of the engine. I would not replace it unless you have a problem.

It is a fact that they do need replaced with mileage. My truck, with 120+K miles was 9 degrees out of timing. After that many miles the stretching of the chain makes the crank and cam not allign the way they are meant. The truck ran fine, however performance was going downhill. Put the new chain in and the lack of power was gone. If i had a older blazer that you can adjust timing on i'd say your right, however on mine you cannot adjust.

[herkyhawki]

Originally Posted by the87hyper

If i had a older blazer that you can adjust timing on i'd say your right, however on mine you cannot adjust.

Cam timing and ignition timing are two different subjects. The pre-94 blazers allow adjustments to ignition timing. A stretched timing chain will affect cam timing. The distibutor is driven off the camshaft, but the ignition timing mechanisms will compensate for small variances in cam timing due to chain stretch. If the chain has stretched enough to retard cam timing, (retarding the valve timing), the only way to fix is to replace the chain. I agree that the chains do stretch, and you can gain performance on a high-milage engine by replacing the timing chain/gear set.

[96blazerlt4x4]

we have a 96 blazer 166k miles

it just doesnt seem to have the up N go like it should..it seems the timing is off by quite a bit by the way it idles and runs

we'd like to get the performance back that it should have

now has anyone changed there timingchain by themselves?


the chevy dealer here says dont replace unless it breaks......and it isnt a item they do anymore...

[Rmbodie]

Chevy dealer doesn't do it ?????? . I guess they only sell them . It's indepth work , not for novice mechanics with a small tool box . and if not installed correctly will destroy the engine at first start attempt. Lots of things have to be removed to get to it . A haynes manual is a neccesity along with some specialty tools . It is almost worthwhile installing a new cam if you are going to do the chain . Rob