the 2 gen IV's I pulled out of my gibson(92) had the front oil galley plugs drilled from the factory, engines never been apart, and no bearing under the gears...Rob

Vinny how much streach in the chain? It shouldnt have much. Maybe pick it up holding it at opposite ends and see how much it sags in the middle. I can do the same with mine and see if it relates. But mine is .400" raised cam. Just a thought.
Dick

Sorry Dick, but the parts are already on their way back to Bob Madera. I can say that the chain had very little play in it. I checked it by pulling it tight by twisting the crank a bit, then wiggling the slack side. It seemed fine to me.

The good news.. I pulled all my main and rod bearings. Everything looked good, so I put it all back together. The oil pump looked good, but I ordered a new Melling blueprinted pump anyway.

Vinny,
I sent you some pics..
Dick

Vinny,

Have you considered using a belt driven external wet sump pump? Not all the room needed as for a dry sump and you get the load off the timing chain/cam &dist gears and drive shaft. I made the change for those reasons and still use my wet sump pan.

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I use Cloyes timing sets and have never had a problem. Still look like new after 150 hours turning a high volume Melling pump. I would question the quality of the timing set and look for something binding somewhere

Was the oil pump driveshaft taken out at the same time? If so, I would wonder about the oil pump. Cavitation?

After suspecting a broken timing gear and tearing down the engine, I discovered the broken oil pump drive and the damaged timing gear.

I agree, I think this gear set was a P.O.S. It almost cost me an engine. The cam spins free in the block, dont feel it was a binding issue. I am going to run a new oil pump for sure.

No I didnt, but thats an interesting thought. I have never seen anyone run one on a boat before. I dont think I would do it, but just curious, do you have a few pictures of that set-up?