BB's in the engine? hmm...

[livinglegend2100]

Hey guys, interesting random question for you. I was working on a motor I have out of a 90' N/A 300zx earlier, and when i pulled off the crank pulley, there was a bunch of either BB's or ball bearings around the lower timing gear. You will see in the included pictures. There were also fragments of what appears to have been a small gear of the sorts. But I am at a loss as to what they are or where they came from. This motor ran perfectly fine when it came out of the car last year also. any input?

This is what i found when i pulled off the crank pulley and little dust cover.



Here is the BB's again with the chunks of potential gear



All i can say is WTF. not sure what im looking at. any help is appreciated in advance

[BigTDogg (MA)]

WTF? Is this a joke? That's nuts!

I'd say a bearing failed, horribly.

[300ZXttZMAN]

Where the hell did the ball bearings come from?????????

[RubyRed300ZX]

Balls from one of the idler bearings?

[300ZXttZMAN]

Ahhh yes has to be from the idler pulleys.

[t.mcginley.jr]

It has to be an idler bearing, but how could it lose that many bearings and not make all kinds of crazy sounds?

[livinglegend2100]

thats exactly what im trying to figure out. I drove the car litterally the SAME day this engine was taken out and it ran beautifully. since then i have only turned the engine over by hand while on my engine stand to keep everything free and moving. i guess ill find out today when i pull the front of the engine apart. will update later

[300ZXttZMAN]

Very curious to see the update.

I don't understand how you didn't hear some crazy sounds either.

[livinglegend2100]

sorry bro's and brodettes, unfortunately i didnt get a chance to work on it yesterday, but im heading out to the garage in a minute to get it apart.

[300ZXttZMAN]

sorry bro's and brodettes, unfortunately i didnt get a chance to work on it yesterday, but im heading out to the garage in a minute to get it apart.

[livinglegend2100]

well, THERE'S your problem... lol the idler pulley on the timing belt exploded. The pictures dont really show it, but the pulley was seriously a gnat's fart away from coming off the spindle. It still baffles me that the car ran like this and didnt make ANY strange noises. who knows how long it was like that too... but i guess i got lucky and ill take that for what it is. just need to pick up a new timing kit and hopefully all is well.




on a related note, who do you guys prefer for timing components? i was thinking courtesy nissan but i havent checked pricing yet.

[300ZXttZMAN]

Give me just a sec. Tony made a table showing the price and whats included from some of the retailers. I'll find the table and post it.

[itsa300zx]

Kyle at IPP for the kits or Specialty Z

[300ZXttZMAN]

Found it:

[livinglegend2100]

perfect. thanks man i appreciate it.

[300ZXttZMAN]

perfect. thanks man i appreciate it.

[DCaff300ZX]

well, THERE'S your problem...

Holy crap man, that's amazing!
Makes me wonder what I'll find in my 237K NA motor (that does have a few odd sounds now...) if I ever get into it further than I have...

[BigTDogg (MA)]

Found it:

SpecialtyZ is another great vendor you can use in addition to IPP.

You got SOOOO Lucky with that engine, go buy a lottery ticket, NOW!

[livinglegend2100]

yea i was thinking the same thing haha. ill do a little shopping around for some kits. maybe ill piece something together myself. how essential is it to replace the smaller items like the VTC springs and crank sprocket and such?

[BigTDogg (MA)]

Crank sprocket only has to be replaced if you have to cut the old one off. You need to remove it to replace the front main seal. Many times, on an original car, the sprocket is a b**** to get off. DO NOT pry against the oil pump, which is aluminum, you will be real sorry. Only use OEM VTC springs, they're not essential to do, but it's a cheap thing to do while you're in there.

Call/Email Greg or Seb at Specialty Z (Greg: [email protected] Sebastian: [email protected]) and tell them that Tony (BigTDogg) sent you. They'll give you the best price and phenomenal service.

[livinglegend2100]

dually noted on the sprocket. I am indeed doing the front main... ill have to email specialty z. I've been talking with Seb back and forth about having my ECU tuned anyway. thanks brosef