1988 V6 4.3L GM Searay Distrubutor Gear Stripped

[rodbolt]

Re: 1988 V6 4.3L GM Searay Distrubutor Gear Stripped

about the only thing that can strip the gear on a V chevorlet is either it ran with no oil or the pump locked up.
as the cam DRIVES the distributer gear it wont matter if the cam locks up or not, wont damage the gear.
myself? I would pull the pan,clean out the shavings, carefully inspect the cam gear and reassemble with a new oil pump.
high speed shutdowns and or improper ign timing can cause water intrusion into the cylinders. you experienced both in a short time .

 

[bpippin]

Re: 1988 V6 4.3L GM Searay Distrubutor Gear Stripped

Whats the possibility that the distributor gear was just worn and gave way? I will post a picture tomorrow when the girl brings the camera back home from easter. What I would call the good teeth at there tips its very very thin. Could it had just stripped through from normal engine wear? Also if the pump had failed (the oil spins freely btw) Shouldn't I had heard the engine's lifters tap badly? I'm not sure the engine ran long enough to had failed because of lack of oil. (how long would it take if oil wasnt reaching the heads) I could still see the boat ramp when it stopped.

 

[rodbolt]

Re: 1988 V6 4.3L GM Searay Distrubutor Gear Stripped

over the years working at chevrolet dealers,independant garages and working for mercruiser and Volvo dealerships I have had the oppertunity to replace seveal dist driven gears. all either had been run dry or the pump was defective.
as soon as the pump tries to stick the gear fails.
its so sudden you will never hear a lifter tap.
dissasemble the pump, inspect the housing,rotor plate and rotors very very carefully, odds are high you will see a burr.
thats all it takes.

 

[bpippin]

Re: 1988 V6 4.3L GM Searay Distrubutor Gear Stripped

I can probably get the oil pan cleaned out without pulling the motor but not the pump im sure. Looks like thats what needs to happen.

 

[rodbolt]

Re: 1988 V6 4.3L GM Searay Distrubutor Gear Stripped

its a reccomendation, I am sure DonS and a few other techs will back me up.
I know its expensive but like I say, it aint my money but it is my reputation

 

[Don S]

Re: 1988 V6 4.3L GM Searay Distrubutor Gear Stripped

What is in the oil pan isn't the big problem, what happened to the oil pump is.
You have to pull the engine, it's just the way things are done, like it or not.

 

[bpippin]

Re: 1988 V6 4.3L GM Searay Distrubutor Gear Stripped

What is in the oil pan isn't the big problem, what happened to the oil pump is.
You have to pull the engine, it's just the way things are done, like it or not.

Just like your quote says, I like it.

Why is there never enough time to do it right the first time,
But always enough time to do it again?