LUVTruck.com

Hi all -

I'm a newbie here, and I have a fairly simple question.

I just bought a rust free, garage kept, 1-owner, 91k mile 1979 Luv, and it starts, runs, and drives great. However, I have what appears to be some timing chain noise up front. It sounds like chain noise and is loud enough to be audible when you're close enough to touch the front fenders of the truck. I need to replace the tappet cover gasket, which I'm going to do this weekend, and I'll check for obvious tension problems then.

I used to own a B2000 Mazda, and it's chain was a bit noisey, which was normal for that truck. How much noise is to be expected on these Isuzu engines?

Thanks in advance.

i have never heard a timing chain make a noise, unless i have lived a sheltered life, i dont think its timing chain.

whats it sound like?

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zyanug
75 luv stepside... Work in progress
76 fleetside 350hp 1968 327cu
"No replacement for displacement!"
___/__l____
[_@l__l__@_]***

Timing chains can indeed make noise if they've somehow worn out one of the guides or if the tensioners have gone bad. I just wanted to get an idea of how much noise is 'normal' for the Isuzus without tearing apart the front end of the engine to inspect the guide and tensioners. My little 2.0 Mazda had a small bit of chain noise, but that was normal for those trucks.

Welcome to the site. I would think if you can hear the chain rattle then it is severely LOOSE/WORN and would need to be replaced.

I would adjust the valves before I replaced the timing chain, tensioner and slides. If you're replacing the valve cover gasket you are already there so you might as well adjust them. Keep us posted.

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In life there is the "Way things should be" and then "There's the way they are".

2005 Silverado 3/4T Crew Cab
1981 Luv 2WD
1979 Luv 4x4 Currently going through Open Heart and Cosmetic surgery
1995 Roughneck JetBoat
1981 Luv parts trk

Will do. Once I have the tappet cover off I think there will be enough space to shine a flashlight down into the timing cover and see if anything obvious is awry. If the chain needs changing, I'll probably do it this weekend if the parts store can get the stuff in time. As far as I can tell, it's not valve train noise, but I'll take a look once I'm in there.

Thanks for your help.

yes if you can hear it replace it.

I couldnt hear mine...... and then one day it broke.

good insurance.

A.j.

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http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ykgDNjeTa0g

It certainly sounds like a chain....like a chain rubbing on metal or the way a roller chain sounds when moving except louder. It's audible enough that you can hear it with the hood closed if you put your ear up to the grille of the truck. Under the hood, it seems to be coming from the front of the engine. Seems like a chain problem to me.

my 76 has no such noise.you can barely hear it running cept' for the exhaust.

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76 mikado project,mean green

Took off the tappet cover tonight. Chain is tight as can be and from what I could see the tensioner and guides looked pristine. However, I can do the old 2x4 stethoscope trick and the noise is very definitely coming from behind the lower part of the timing cover. Going to order the timing kit tomorrow and replace the timing set, water pump, and gaskets.

I hope that fixes your problem. Keep us posted and let us know what you find. Good luck fixing your Luv.

_________________
In life there is the "Way things should be" and then "There's the way they are".

2005 Silverado 3/4T Crew Cab
1981 Luv 2WD
1979 Luv 4x4 Currently going through Open Heart and Cosmetic surgery
1995 Roughneck JetBoat
1981 Luv parts trk

DO NOT wait to check it out.. If the chain breaks you can say by by to most of your valves. I have lost intake and exhaust valves both. I had a problem with the chain, replaced the chain, and lost the tension adjuster and it happened again.... Replace it all when you do!!!!!!!! Not real smart on my part.

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75 Luv, 350 V8, TH350, Camaro rearend. New 1975 Luv Step side. Stock for now.
Grandmaster of the "Shade Tree" way.. I can't see the yard for all the cars. Come on down and we will sit on the porch and watch the grass grow.

Yeah...I'm going to replace everything when I'm in there. The whole kit is only $60, so you're foolish not to. Oil pan, tappet cover, and timing cover gaskets will get replaced as well, along with the water pump. Hopefully that will fix the problem.

Picked up a real stethoscope tonight. Holy racket on lower right side of timing cover (quiet on left side), especially as RPMs increase (not as audible without stethoscope, assuming that's from fan/exhaust noise) I'm guessing the lower part of the guide is bad. Ordered all the parts tonight, be here towards the end of next week.