2.8L/3.1L AND 3.8L FWD same bellhousing pattern? (not related

[Joe Boucher]

Alain Toussaint wrote:
> 
> >Cutlass Calais came with 3.0l v-6 which is little brother to the 3.8l
> engine.
> >Maybe get the flywheel and rebalance if necessary?? Maybe get complete
> >engine/trans combo so bolts, brackets, clips, and what-have-you are handy.
> >BTW  If you don't rebuild the engine, change the timing gears.  When it
> goes,
> >valves go too.  I've changed a bunch after it's too late.
> 
> on the subject of timing gears,mom's chum bought a Olds with a gone timing
> gears/belt/chain (dont know witch one),he had a great deal on it but the car
> need some TLC,here's the stories about the damage,the sellers go to a
> resto,10 minutes before comming back to the car,he start the car with a
> "radio-controled car starter" (i would know how to call it in french but i
> scratched my head about 10 minutes trying to get the exact definition of the
> device),then he goes to the car and found it not running anymore,he call the
> towing,bring it to the GM car dealership in the region here,the mechanic do
> an estimation of 1500$ (CAN money) of damage,my question is,can the engine
> be shot if the car's timing "device" break when the engine's idling ??
> 
> Alain

YEs.  When the timing chain breaks, the camshaft stops turning and the
valves stop moving.  This means some of the valves are open, sticking
into the combustion chamber.  The pistons are still moving.  So the
piston moves up and hits the valve.  This bends or breaks some of the
valves.  Fifteen hunderd dollars please.

Joe Boucher
'70 RS/SS Camaro  '81 TBI Suburban