The V8 LIVES!!!!

["James M. Dean" <aes@mhv.net>]

Well, it's finally over (I Hope). Just got my V8 back yesterday. It's
running like a CHAMP! Final damage was ~$4K which included a TAP chip
and K&N filter upgrade. The engine roars like a lion and there is a
significant difference out of the box with the TAP chip.

However, the cause of all this trouble is very interesting. The root
cause of the timing belt failure was the fork on the lower tensioner
pulley. One side of the fork broke off which allowed the tensioner to
relax and well you know the rest....OUCH!!!! According to my mechanic he
has never seen this type of failure and neither has any of the mechanics
he has spoken with. Hmmm..., maybe another one for the books.

Basically the repair entailed replacing all 16 intake valves, timing
belt, and associated hardware, including new plugs, cap, rotors, etc.
Parts totaled ~$1900, Labor ~$1700, TAP chip ~$250, K&N filter ~$60.  

Many thanks to Greg Hayman at Autofirme for doing a great job and
putting up with my impatience and for all the support and input from the
list.
-- 
James M. Dean (JD)
Applied Energy Services
P.O. Box 60, Fishkill, NY 12524
Tel (914) 486-4134  Fax (914) 486-4701
Pager: (888) 274-7281
e-mail: aes@mhv.net
http://www1.mhv.net/~aes