Timing is fubard. Runs like shit

[FortCollinsZJ]

Took the water pump off today, to do some cleaning and inspecting of the coolant system, put it all back together but put the wrong bolt in the water pump and it went too deep into the timing cover, and side loaded the chain, which then broke when I tried to start it.

1: First things first, I want a definitive answer, is the 5.2 an interference motor, or not? I don't think I bent valve, I certainly didn't hear anything like that, IIRC.

2: Next. I replaced the gears and timing chain, aligned the two marks as the haynes manual showed, then buttoned it back up, went to start, and it cranks and cranks, and only fires if I feather the throttle, but it feels like its HORRIBLY mis timed. Like it's running on one bank. It will not stay running.

3: So, the timing gears are keyed to the crank and cam, meaning they only go on one way, and the two dots are at 6 o'clock for the cam, and 12 o'clock fore the crank. Right? Right.

4: The crank did spin a few times on its own when the timing chain broke, so do I need to re adjust the timing in the distributor now? I didnt feel like a moron when I started this project but I certainly do now.

[IndyZJ]

http://www.bionicdodge.com/bionic/in...&topic=6174.15

Worth a shot anyway. If it was running well before but not after you replaced the timing chain, I'd wager the crank/ cam is a ways off.

[FortCollinsZJ]

Welp, here's the problem. This might as well be any pushrod, I think they are all fucked. Greeeat. Time for a rebuild or replacement.

[ArloGuthroJeep]

I didn't think the 5.2 was an interference engine?

[FortCollinsZJ]

Me neither. I guess I'll know if I take the heads off. I just found a 5.9 out of a dodge with 10k miles, for 1100$. Looks like I might have my new engine. I really don't want to rebuild ANYTHING on this 200k engine with a possible leaking head gasket to boot.