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First time posting on a forum. Couldn't find any records of people having done the GM 3.0L timing chains while the engine is still in the vehicle. Did come across a video and it was awesome. If you plan on doing this job follow that video. Thank you to the original poster on this site for the link.
Yes it is possible, yes you will be taking a chance on it. There is no direct line of sight at the primary to secondary chain sprockets.
I have a 1,000k on the engine since I installed the chains. I changed them due to a loud racket pulley side and at 3,000 rpm. I originally thought the noise was from the belt tensioner and idler pulley. After replacing both the noise was still present. Following are tools/parts and things I wished I knew before completing it.
-https://www.amazon.ca/dp/B07WNW1RJJ?ref_=cm_sw_r_cp_ud_dp_H0H9XX5566SP5QMT9CVS Cam retaining tool. Worked great, quality control not so good. Had to move the back bank cam for it to fit properly and back again once everything was assembled.
-More Information for CLOYES 90753S (rockauto.com) I used this kit. Do yourself a favor and mark the outside of the sprocket clearly with a marker before install for the back bank (firewall side). I did not, the only bit I was very unsure about.
-More Information for VICTOR REINZ 151024401 (rockauto.com) Should have used this kit. Includes the VVT solenoid seals (which were leaking), the crank seal ( I removed this and was able to put it back on to cover the engine while I was working on it over the course of a couple weeks) and the rubber gasket on the inside of the timing cover that seals the coolant passages from the oil. The water pump does not come with this.
-Make sure to clean the mating surfaces before you install your parts or there will be alot of guesswork as to what exactly your cleaning because once the sprockets go back on, cant see nada. Ask me how I know. Not to mention silicon gets all over everything. Not so good. And yes its a silicon gasket.
-Couple other tidbits. I used the camera on my phone and slid it down beside the frame rail to check alignment. If when your putting your timing cover back on and you think you lost some bolts holding it down, the tensioner pulley has the three missing bolts.
All in all this job was not that bad. I am a mechanic by trade, although still fairly green. The worst part was the back bank (firewall side), could not get a good picture and I didn't have the foresight to mark the front of the sprocket before hand. This was all done on the ground with a jack holding the engine up.
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Yes it is possible, yes you will be taking a chance on it. There is no direct line of sight at the primary to secondary chain sprockets.
I have a 1,000k on the engine since I installed the chains. I changed them due to a loud racket pulley side and at 3,000 rpm. I originally thought the noise was from the belt tensioner and idler pulley. After replacing both the noise was still present. Following are tools/parts and things I wished I knew before completing it.
-https://www.amazon.ca/dp/B07WNW1RJJ?ref_=cm_sw_r_cp_ud_dp_H0H9XX5566SP5QMT9CVS Cam retaining tool. Worked great, quality control not so good. Had to move the back bank cam for it to fit properly and back again once everything was assembled.
-More Information for CLOYES 90753S (rockauto.com) I used this kit. Do yourself a favor and mark the outside of the sprocket clearly with a marker before install for the back bank (firewall side). I did not, the only bit I was very unsure about.
-More Information for VICTOR REINZ 151024401 (rockauto.com) Should have used this kit. Includes the VVT solenoid seals (which were leaking), the crank seal ( I removed this and was able to put it back on to cover the engine while I was working on it over the course of a couple weeks) and the rubber gasket on the inside of the timing cover that seals the coolant passages from the oil. The water pump does not come with this.
-Make sure to clean the mating surfaces before you install your parts or there will be alot of guesswork as to what exactly your cleaning because once the sprockets go back on, cant see nada. Ask me how I know. Not to mention silicon gets all over everything. Not so good. And yes its a silicon gasket.
-Couple other tidbits. I used the camera on my phone and slid it down beside the frame rail to check alignment. If when your putting your timing cover back on and you think you lost some bolts holding it down, the tensioner pulley has the three missing bolts.
All in all this job was not that bad. I am a mechanic by trade, although still fairly green. The worst part was the back bank (firewall side), could not get a good picture and I didn't have the foresight to mark the front of the sprocket before hand. This was all done on the ground with a jack holding the engine up.
