225 V6 Failure

Well, The 225 Is Coming Out Of My Cj This Week. The Distributor Failed...engine Fell Out Of Time And After I Installed New Points Etc. Thinking It Was In Need Of A Tune-up The Engine Was Turned Over. Much To My Surprise The Engine Cranked And Then Tried To Reverse Rotate....turns Out The Majority Of The Teeth On The Timing Gear Attached To The Camshaft Were Stripped Off As A Result. It's Already Been To A Master Mechanic I Trust And He Has Suggested A Rebulid Of The Engine To Be Safe. This Is Partially Based On The Fact That There Were A Lot Of Shavings In The Oil Pan.

Since I'm Having It Rebuilt I Figured I Look For Suggestions On Anything You'd Add To Or Change On Your 225. I Intend To Have It Rebuilt Stock With No Mods And Returning The Oil Pump From A High Output Melling To A Stock Pump.

Any Input Would Be Appreciated.

 

Re: 225 V6 Failiure

Rebuild? I'd just put on a new timing chain.

 

Re: 225 V6 Failiure

not even out a coupla hundred unless labor is that high,as you can re use the new parts when you do the major rebuild if needed,heck pull the cover and the pan and clean it out if their is shavings in it

 

I had the same problem sparky,i just checked the rod and main bearings when the pan was off and they were ok. I changed the gear on the distrubtor which turned out to be the problem and the source of the shavings in the pan.I think that the high volume oil pump put too much pressure on the gear,it's been running for about two years now with no problems.Good luck

 

i think for piece of mind, I'd check at least 1 main and 1 rod bearing.

 

Moderator sorry about the caps lock I'll keep it off.

As for the rebulid vs. new timing chain etc. There was a pressure test done and the cylinders varied a lot. I don't want to risk just trying to make the engine work if there was damage done. I am hoping that there will be a minimum that needs to be done to the engine but in the event that there was major damage I'd rather play it safe. This CJ is actually my daily driver to and from work so I need it to be as reliable as possible.

Have any of you had any luck with other than Davis Industries HEI ignsidering itions? I have been considering a small body HEI conversion from here: http://www.davessmallbodyheis.com/
and was wondering if anyone had any experience with these.

Thanks for the thoughts guys. and yes, I will definitely be going with a stock oil pump.

 

I am EXTREMELY pleased with my Warloch-recommended Offenhauser 360 intake and Holley TA470 setup. Also went with the Comp 252H cam. Melling HV oil pump installed initially with HP spring; caused immediate oiling problems and smoke and had to go back to stock spring. Have fender headers but wouldn't recommend them to anyone; looking for a set of 231 manifolds as I type this. Search "Pertronix." Couple guys run the MSD/Pertronix setup and it really helps smooth the engine out.

 

For recently having my 225 rebuilt, I would stick with everything stock the engine does really well left alone. I put in a 252 cam and it really picks up in the upper RPMs, but this took a little away from the bottom end. I also did a HV oil pump and have heard that some people have had issues with them. Luckily I have not....we will see in the long term how it does. I would recommend making sure the machinist checks the deck of the block and the heads. Both my block and heads needed shaving. Hope this helps.

 

x3. I did actually gained top end performance, but I think that is more due to the intake/carb rather than cam. I can really notice a difference up grade at 65mph. Definitely gained on the bottom end; it's really tough to stall.

 

ran into the cam issue a while back on a chevy, just as few as a couple degres either way on the cam timing will give you bottom end one way and a couple deg the other will give you all sorts of top end,we degreaded the cam wrong and was very displeased,went back in and changed the setting with the same cam and got what we wanted,i dont think this is the case with what the fellas are talking about,but who knows maybe the cam man. changed that spec,and left the lift and duration the same

 

I think the stock 225 V6 is pretty good as is. Many mods can be made with an engine rebuild that will drastically raise an already expensive venture. Rebuilds in my experience with other engines than the 225 V6 are far from being like a new engine.
I'd suggest what others have; jerk off the timing chain cover, replace chain, cam and crank gears, distributor- (check teeth on distributor gear for uneven wear which could mean damage to mating teeth on cam) clean pan and do compression check again. Cylinder pressures will vary. Important factor is varience between high and low cylinders.
I've put the stock GM HEI distributors in my 1966 GMC truck and my 1971 CJ-5 Jeep 225 V6. I've been happy as a clam with both so would highly recommend this upgrade whether you get a rebuild or not. The jeep distributor came from a 1975 Buick Skylark 231 (oddfire). I bought it from a wrecking yard for $40, had it checked out on a distributor machine, replacing only the pickup coil ( pretty inexpensive). The installation into the vehicle was easy. A small body HEI would be nice but it'll be expensive and it will not be as good as the proven stock GM HEI. I'm also very sold on the stock system over MSD/Pertonix based on troubles reported by friends and other club members. The parts for the stock system are available everywhere and are inexpensive.
My 2 cents for what it's worth!

 

Well, the only update I have for now is that the engine has been cleaned and torn apart. The shop will be calling me as soon as they have a chance to look at it in depth. I am still keeping my fingers crossed that it just need VERY minor work if any. If nothing else it had a good 60,000-80,000 on it since the rebuild and could probably use new piston rings etc. I'll keep you guys posted once I have more.

Just waiting for the new stainless fuel lines from Classic Tube and the poly gas tank for the V6 from 4WD Hardware to arrive. Oh and the new clutch assembly too (haven't bought yet) which reminds me. Is there anyone here using a stock replacement Centerforce clutch and diaphragm and if so is it worth the bucks?.

Thanks for all the input that's part of what makes this forum awesome...all the experience and sharing of info.

Brian