used timing parts?

[cyborgben]

i just found pointy teeth on my 131k e30, went to the pick n pull and found a 136k e36 with nice teeth, so i pulled the sprockets and the head but couldnt get the other timing parts (damn crank bolt)
here is the question - is it worth swaping in the used guides, sprockets etc? or are they probably no better than mine as far as longevity.
ps - i know this makes me a cheap bastard, but putting $400 in parts into a $1000 car that i have never really gotten to drive yet seems crazy...
thanks.

[Vivek]

I agree with you on not spending so much money. It should be fine...it's a sprocket. It's not like you're putting used oil in your car.

[cyborgben]

thats what I thought. what about the plastic parts - mostly the terribly expensive guide rails? do these generally fail due to wear (which judging by the sprockets seems even and minimal) or does the plastic just sort of die and become brittle over time?
so, what i am asking is, will a slightly worn, but old, guide rail last a reasonable amount of time compared to a new one?

[thedguy]

I would try and tank the chain and all matching sprockets. If you can, try and get new guides.

I'm mostly guessing but I think the guides main failure is when the tensioner goes bad and starts causing them to slap around and break.

[Jboss12]

I did the same thing that you are doing. All my timing components were shot so i replaced all mine with used, but still in good condition sprockets. I also replaced my guides with used ones that were in better condition. Yeah its not the best way to do it but it was cheap. The timing chain rattle went away as well.

[oldmann]

Get back to that junkyard and get the rest of the timing set.

Crank bolt will come out with a good breaker bar and 3 or 4 ft cheater. I've done this 1/2 dozen times never fails, don't be afraid to lean on it. Just be sure of where you might fall when it breaks loose.

Get the starter out of the car and find the hole (to stick a screwdriver into) to block the flywheel from turning.

I've been running a used set for 2 yrs now, no trouble. $30 for chain, gears guides and all, my car is also a DD, not worth much, just want reliable fun driver.

[Exodus_2pt0]

If the donor car is a manual, then put it in 1st and yank the parking brake (assuming it's still there/functional. That will hold the motor so you can get out the bolt.

Or you could get really creative, fill up 2 cylinders with rocks and debri, reinstall spark plug. That will surely hold it so you can remove the bolt.