Oh right, you did say you had a BSE installed. huh, I'd think they'd still use a chain guide or tensioner of some sort...

The lower cost BSE kits dont supply a guide for the pump chain and you do need one. Did the chain hit the bolt head?

Regardless it looks pretty stretched.

I would check the cam and make sure it is not seizing in the head.

Kevin C

And check the free rotation of the oil pump. I think the oil pump chain is stretched, too. When you intstall the new lower oil pump chain guide, there are two mounting bolt holes. Oval out the more central one with a dremel or drill or rattail file, so you can pivot the guide a little to adjust the clearance to about 1mm, and that's all the slack there should be in that chain.

The chain is pretty stretched, so I will be getting a new kit, anything else I should be looking at or for?

Will my 5 speed hold up to a turbo swap if I decide to go that route or should I rebuild this one and look for one with an auto?

Thanks for all the help and suggestions <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/cheers.gif" alt="" />

Nate

Mine did not, and I don't recommend it. They seem weak behing a carb motor. Late model parts from 88-89 starion may solve the tranny problems. Others may have specific parts.

The turbo motor is such a good match to the a/t that it's spooky. The loose converter lets the engine get into boost with almost no lag off the line, and mine was at full boost by 2700 with a stock 12A turbo. I drove both the 5spd and the a/t, and I'll tell you straight that the a/t is a lot faster. I also prefer it offroad for it's soft driveline touch. You lose some tranny control, and the positive engine braking in the creepies, but I have not found this to be a handicap. I don't rock crawl much, though. And with stock gearing, the engine is moving too slow for much compression braking, anyway. May be a diff story with tcase gears and 5.29's, but I haven't been there, yet, and on the road, even with fat tires, the turbo shrugs off the overall ratio change with torque. Imagine passing uphill on 31's without drama or a downshift...

All transmissions break eventually

Towing in OD with 35" tires will break fifth gear ( Jason effect).

12 PSI on a good unit will hold up for a very long time.

7 PSI on a good unit will hold up just about forever.

A manual with loose bearings and a bad main shaft thrust plate will die pretty fast.

An auto will take 15+ PSI all day long and never notice.

Kevin

Here's an update of were I am at. I haven't been able to find a turbo to swap, so I took the short block and pistons to the machine shop. For about $150.00 I can have the motor hot tanked, the crank reground, the cylinders bored, new piston pins and rings installed and the pistons cleaned up. He wont be able to get to it for 2 weeks. This guy thinks everything is usable. I talked to another guy who only does aluminum heads. He is quite educated on 2.6 heads. for $25.00 he will pressure test the head. He says he can fix any cracks and get rid of the jet valves. He said he has plenty of good used valves if any are bent. I haven't had to go see him yet, maybe tomorrow.