Archived VP44 Shaft Key Fell down in Timing Case

[SConklin]

I was trying to install and line up the new VP44, and the little key on the pump's shaft fell down into the timing case. I've pulled as much of the cover off now as I can without removing the water pump, and pried it back. Also removed the pump shaft gear.

I still cannot see the key down in the gears or the case. I have the ky from the old pump still, and was wondering that, if the key is not in sight, would it have gone anywhere that I can leave it and use the other one? Or, will I need to pull more stuff off and find it for sure? Could it have gone behind the gears? How about down in the oil pan?

Also, now that the gear for the pump shaft is off, how do I make sure that the gear is lined up right (The keyway was not exactly at TDC before - it was close, but I'm not exactly sure where it was at before being removed. Or does it matter?

Any other ideas/help? This is my only vehicle, and it's currently out of commission because of this, so any help would be really appreciated.

Thanks!



Skyler

 

[FourBarR]

dont have my manual at home. however the key is special . the number on the key has to match the number on the pump. its probably fallen in the pan . could drain and fish with magnet. hope this helps. good luck.

 

[rkressg]

You need to remove the key. If it is stuck in a gear, it can cause major damage to the timing gears.



you can try fishing it out with a magnet. If you can do this, it will save you a lot of work removing the timimg cover.



In regard to your question about wetting the engine to TDC off #1, it does not matter if you move the engine with out the pumg. Just use the barring tool to rotate the motor to TDC. The reason for setting the engine to TDC is to aid in the prevention of droppin the key into the timing case. So no, the motor does not necessarly need to be at TDC.

 

[SConklin]

Copy of post in 24v section:



Update: Found the key, but haven't got it out yet. It's behind one of the gears, still working on getting it. Problem now is, the pump shaft gear is out, and we're not 100% sure how to get it alligned/timed right so that it's back in correctly. Anyone know how to do this? We're doing this without a shop manual (getting one asap now, but it's easter sunday, so we can't now till monday. ) So, TDR is our only source of help for now. The gears have marks on them, but we're not 100% sure of how they're supposed to line back up.



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I don't know how the marks on the gears are supposed to be. RGilbert said that it doesn't matter, but I just wanna be sure. Got everything off, and don't want to have to go through this all over again. It's been a huge mess... (including getting my friend in trouble with his wife for helping me on my truck for so long... ) I'm sure some of you know how that is.



Skyler

 

[rkressg]

Sorry,

I did not realize that you removed the timing gear. I thought you just removed the pump. The pump only goes in one way and it can only go back together one way. I will go and get my shop manual and get the allignment instructions for the timing gears.