1992-1999 Series I L27 (1992-1994 SE,SLE, SSE) & Series II L36 (1995-1999 SE, SSE, SLE) and common problems for the Series I and II L67 (all supercharged models 92-99) Including Olds 88's, Olds LSS's and Buick Lesabres Please use General Chat for non-mechanical issues, and Performance and Brainstorming for improvements.

free running or interference heads?

Old 02-27-2016, 02:14 PM
  #1  
Member
Posts like a V-Tak
Thread Starter
 
MeticulousMike's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jul 2011
Location: albany,ny
Posts: 49
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
MeticulousMike is on a distinguished road
Default free running or interference heads?

1994 bonnie se 3.8 v-6 of course.no supercharger.i thought that it had a timing belt,but thanks to gates belt guide it doesn't list a timing belt but only a serpentine drive instead.i looked in the haynes manual and it lists chain and sprockets replacement procedure.ok so now i know that it doesn't have a timing belt.so does it have a free running motor or not?
Old 02-27-2016, 03:38 PM
  #2  
Senior Member

True Car Nut
 
Tech II's Avatar
 
Join Date: Feb 2014
Location: Worcester, Ma.
Posts: 2,878
Received 1,084 Likes on 832 Posts
Tech II has a reputation beyond reputeTech II has a reputation beyond reputeTech II has a reputation beyond reputeTech II has a reputation beyond reputeTech II has a reputation beyond reputeTech II has a reputation beyond reputeTech II has a reputation beyond reputeTech II has a reputation beyond reputeTech II has a reputation beyond reputeTech II has a reputation beyond reputeTech II has a reputation beyond repute
Default

My guess? No.....why the questions? What is your problem?
Old 02-27-2016, 09:48 PM
  #3  
Retired



Certified Car Nut
 
Mike's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jul 2003
Location: Dark Side, AZ
Posts: 17,920
Received 1,779 Likes on 1,303 Posts
Mike has a reputation beyond reputeMike has a reputation beyond reputeMike has a reputation beyond reputeMike has a reputation beyond reputeMike has a reputation beyond reputeMike has a reputation beyond reputeMike has a reputation beyond reputeMike has a reputation beyond reputeMike has a reputation beyond reputeMike has a reputation beyond reputeMike has a reputation beyond repute
Default

They are interference heads. Miss the timing, kiss the valves goodbye.
__________________
Retired Administrator
2002 *-10 5.7 V8
2023 Jeep Rubicon Diesel

Old 02-27-2016, 11:13 PM
  #4  
Senior Member
True Car Nut
 
rjolly87's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jun 2003
Location: Las Cruces, NM
Posts: 7,270
Received 457 Likes on 359 Posts
rjolly87 has a brilliant futurerjolly87 has a brilliant futurerjolly87 has a brilliant futurerjolly87 has a brilliant futurerjolly87 has a brilliant futurerjolly87 has a brilliant futurerjolly87 has a brilliant futurerjolly87 has a brilliant futurerjolly87 has a brilliant futurerjolly87 has a brilliant futurerjolly87 has a brilliant future
Default

It'* a chain for sure, but I don't recall any cases of a chain snapping in my history here.

If there is going to be an issue, it'* typically with the tensioner, that causes the chain to slap around. Even then those issues are pretty rare.

If it'* not giving you a reason to worry, then don't worry about it.
Old 02-28-2016, 08:29 AM
  #5  
Senior Member

True Car Nut
 
Tech II's Avatar
 
Join Date: Feb 2014
Location: Worcester, Ma.
Posts: 2,878
Received 1,084 Likes on 832 Posts
Tech II has a reputation beyond reputeTech II has a reputation beyond reputeTech II has a reputation beyond reputeTech II has a reputation beyond reputeTech II has a reputation beyond reputeTech II has a reputation beyond reputeTech II has a reputation beyond reputeTech II has a reputation beyond reputeTech II has a reputation beyond reputeTech II has a reputation beyond reputeTech II has a reputation beyond repute
Default

Only 3.8 engine I ever ran into that jumped timing, was built in the late 80'*.....in their infinite wisdom, GM had plastic teeth(for noise) on their timing gears.....later, they went all metal........ran into one that sheared off, and jumped timing.....amazingly, the valves were ok....it bent the push rods......
Old 02-28-2016, 10:51 AM
  #6  
Retired



Certified Car Nut
 
Mike's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jul 2003
Location: Dark Side, AZ
Posts: 17,920
Received 1,779 Likes on 1,303 Posts
Mike has a reputation beyond reputeMike has a reputation beyond reputeMike has a reputation beyond reputeMike has a reputation beyond reputeMike has a reputation beyond reputeMike has a reputation beyond reputeMike has a reputation beyond reputeMike has a reputation beyond reputeMike has a reputation beyond reputeMike has a reputation beyond reputeMike has a reputation beyond repute
Default

Originally Posted by Tech II
Only 3.8 engine I ever ran into that jumped timing, was built in the late 80'*.....in their infinite wisdom, GM had plastic teeth(for noise) on their timing gears.....later, they went all metal........ran into one that sheared off, and jumped timing.....amazingly, the valves were ok....it bent the push rods......
My 1987 Grand AM 3.0 did the same thing. Except the engine was running at about 3000RPM.
__________________
Retired Administrator
2002 *-10 5.7 V8
2023 Jeep Rubicon Diesel

Old 02-28-2016, 02:59 PM
  #7  
Senior Member

True Car Nut
 
Tech II's Avatar
 
Join Date: Feb 2014
Location: Worcester, Ma.
Posts: 2,878
Received 1,084 Likes on 832 Posts
Tech II has a reputation beyond reputeTech II has a reputation beyond reputeTech II has a reputation beyond reputeTech II has a reputation beyond reputeTech II has a reputation beyond reputeTech II has a reputation beyond reputeTech II has a reputation beyond reputeTech II has a reputation beyond reputeTech II has a reputation beyond reputeTech II has a reputation beyond reputeTech II has a reputation beyond repute
Default

I don't know what the rpm'* were on the 3.8, but in both cases you would think a valve would bend, rather than the push rod....my guy lucked out that all I had to do was remove the valve covers to replace push rods(in addition to the gears/chain/tensioner0......

The worst part of the job, was getting the front timing cover off......somehow those dowels were rusted and wouldn't let go.....then I pinched the gasket on the oil pan trying to get the front cover back on......
Old 02-29-2016, 04:47 AM
  #8  
Retired



Certified Car Nut
 
Mike's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jul 2003
Location: Dark Side, AZ
Posts: 17,920
Received 1,779 Likes on 1,303 Posts
Mike has a reputation beyond reputeMike has a reputation beyond reputeMike has a reputation beyond reputeMike has a reputation beyond reputeMike has a reputation beyond reputeMike has a reputation beyond reputeMike has a reputation beyond reputeMike has a reputation beyond reputeMike has a reputation beyond reputeMike has a reputation beyond reputeMike has a reputation beyond repute
Default

Ooops, lol
__________________
Retired Administrator
2002 *-10 5.7 V8
2023 Jeep Rubicon Diesel

Old 02-29-2016, 11:59 PM
  #9  
Senior Member
Posts like a Supercharger
 
1.8TTony's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jul 2015
Location: Chico, California (USA)
Posts: 160
Received 21 Likes on 19 Posts
1.8TTony will become famous soon enough1.8TTony will become famous soon enough
Default

Originally Posted by Mike
..........the engine was running at about 3000RPM.

1988 Le Mans.......was also running around 3k rpm.......she back fired thru the carb.......I pulled over, popped the hood, flames erupted.......volunteer fire fighters pull up 30 minutes later in a 1950 something GMC looking like circus clowns.......really (they were at a convention for children when the call came thru)
Related Topics
Thread
Thread Starter
Forum
Replies
Last Post
Hay Bay Woody
General GM Chat
1
06-21-2010 05:32 PM
trickytransam
1992-1999
3
05-05-2006 07:47 PM
shortstuf212559
Audio (and aftermarket electronics)
4
10-10-2005 10:31 PM
CrazyDaveFYM
Audio (and aftermarket electronics)
7
06-23-2005 03:37 PM
Auburn
2000-2005
6
03-23-2003 11:37 AM


Thread Tools
Search this Thread
Quick Reply: free running or interference heads?



All times are GMT -4. The time now is 09:57 PM.