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Classic/Antique Car Repair/1963 buick lesabre timing chain diagnosis

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Expert: - 8/17/2009


Question
in reply to distributar. yes it is a add on unit to stock distributar. but I had the same problem with the original points setup.I checked the play in the shaft it is whithin specs              thanks you  William R Bluhm

Answer
To check the timing chain for wear, remove the distributor cap. Use a wrench and turn the crankshaft pulley until the rotor moves. Mark the position of the rotor tip onto the distributor. Next make a mark on the front pulley to the engine block. Now with the wrench turn the pulley slowly the opposite direction until the rotor just moves. If the marks on the pulley are more than 1/2 inch apart, the chain is worn and stretched and need attention. Less than 1/2 inch it is ok.
Brad

Classic/Antique Car Repair

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Brad Sears

Expertise

All automotive including antique and collectible. However if the car has been modified I can only answer in general terms and maybe get you pointed in the right direction.

Experience

Automotive tech instructor. Syndicated auto columnist 1970's though the early 1990's. Syndicated auto radio talk show, Ask Brad About cars, CBS Radio 70's through 90's TV Show "Last Chance Garage" 1980's PBS-TV syndicated. Auto instructor for the following companies: Fram Autolyte Holly Carter AMF Ford Motor University Of Conn Blue Hills Technical School Sugar River Technical Center Grew up in a family garage in Needham Mass and turned wrenches from the age of 14.

Publications
Manchester Union Leader, Nashua Telegraph, Motor Service Magazine, Yankee Magazine, Popular Mechanics (Saturday Mechanic early 80's), Los Angeles Times, New York Times, and lots more.

Education/Credentials
More than I care to remember. Basically Franklin Technical Institute in Boston, Northeastern University, Fitchburg State Teachers College, Tufts University, and a lot of factory schools along the way.

Awards and Honors
Moto Award winner. And much more.

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