I thought that plastic timing chain gears in small blocks were introduced in the mid 70s or so, but was told by a friend that they were in as early as 71-72' What gives?

One, does it matter?? Two I'm pretty sure when I was 14 that the 65/66 b361 that was my first Car engine that I tore apart came with the plastic covered timing gears. So see no reason the SB,s wouldn't have the same.?? Don't know for sure , but don't care.

It's a concern if you are going to drive a car cross country after buying it and just a measure of insurance.

I had a 318 1970 dodge SW that had nylon gears in it. Threw the chain at 180k.


Joe

Maybe if you were more specific about the vehicle you would get more info.

Ive seen time and heat cycles are more of a killer in the plastic gear them actual miles.

You might as well be concerned with the water pump and as well the alternator.

About a year ago I went and got a truck with 100k miles on it and had to replace both on the drive home, next time I will replace prior to the trip or pack a spare.

When I did tear it down, concerning the chain and plastic sprocket it was one of those "how did it make it" moments as it was worn, chipped and the chain hanging lower the a 100 year old mans nuts.

So even if possible spending a day to swap out some parts might be a thought, beats a auto zone parking lot like I had to do.

You been peeking?

.and the chain hanging lower the a 100 year old mans nuts.
LOL.

The car in question is a 46K original 318 car, automatic. I'm driving it up from down south to New York City. My friend had a point though just like what was mentioned here, time. It's been now what... almost 50 years with an original drive train and it's not the drive, but the time that has probably dried up the plastic gears.
I'm making contingency plans on how to get it up here as we speak.
Speaking about time, that's just what I don't have. I would go down there and loiter for a few days to get it done properly..... if I had the time, but I have to get back here to the Zoo with work commitments.

My 68 Chargers original 318 had nylon teeth

Don't forget to drop the oil pan and get the nylon chunks out of the oil p/u.

LOL...I agree.

I wouldnt worry about the timing chain with only 46 K on it.. Id be more worried about the Tires/ belts, is the Alt charging, when was the Last time it was driven?? Does the tranny still shift or is it all varnished up?? How old is the fuel in the tank, when was the fuel filter last changed, Stuff like that.

Yes the timing gear is old as well, But that would be very Low on the list of My worries.

Friend bought a 80, something impala/caprice not sure but it only had 34 K on it. but it sat for a Long time, it was a friends dad who passed away. Couldn't pass up the deal, got it home, realized the tranny wouldn't work in reverse very well and sometimes not at All. All the brake lines was rusted out and blew after the first week. Tires were All dry rotted. Calipers All froze up, rotors rusted as well. ETC,ETC

34,000 miles , he thought it would be almost like a new but just older car. Like I said, I wouldn't worry about the Timing chain.

They get pretty low at 60 LOL

Ok it was a bad idea to put those on engines--they were very susceptible
to failure if not from miles just heat and age--I am thinking it was done to quite noise--Noise I have never heard but anyway

The COOL thing is when you read about one of the greatest engine innovators that ever lived Grump Jenkins Jenkins Competition--Sox's worst nightmare and a guy that could wring more HP and performance out of a stock block deal than almost anyone--well The small block Chevy Pro Stock engines he ruled the earth with had that $12 plastic teeth timing set on his $$$$$$$$ Pro Stocker with tunnel ram turning over 8000 RPM and the reason was---wait for it--- He said it acted like then banned belt drive --actually absorbing ( or not transmitting) bad harmonics between valve train and the rest of the engine That is EXACTLY what a belt drive does--you can gain valve train stability and thus gain HP by separating the valve train from the rest with a belt drive--they are used for no other reason by knowing builders when legal Otherwise there is just no reason to run one You can observe 318 SS combos where they run one and that is why---

But----they are engine "fuses" or as I believe Pieces of JUNK

Car had 30K from the original owner, only about 3k a year. Second owner now put another 16k on the counter.
New tires.
Brakes all around were put on three years back, but he only drives it a few miles here and there. AC works. Body is straight. I will see .

First time I saw a plastic/nylon timing gear was the '70s; it was on a SB Chevy that was probably already a few years old, hard to recall.
Every time I've seen one that's failed, it was crazed & cracked. I would guess that's from sitting & drying out, but it's only a theory...

If u r worried why not trailer it back.

Banzai run! Go for it!

Check shipping rates. You’ve got snow and salt to play in on this drive.

Well you can chock the worries of timing gear failure off your list for Sure, for the drive up north. Now All the other things that could go possibly wrong, Nope.

Its good that the car has been driven around some. Even from coming down south, the humid south, rusty crusty brake/fuel lines can still be a issue. New 3 year old brakes ,don't mean new brake lines. A car as old as your talking about must have drums. A 3 year old brake disc brake job up here in Ohio barely driven means most likely rusted/frozen calipers.

Still need to , check Belts/hoses/rubber fuel lines, for the long cruise, if you buy it.

Also, if you buy it, do a oil and filter change for the long ride home. Couldnt hurt.

Also, what new car are we talking about maybe??

If you only knew a guy with a tow truck that could haul it for you.