I'm doing a cam and timing set swap on my 5.3 and can't get the crankshaft timing chain sprocket off! I thought they were just a slip-fit over the shaft and key, not pressed on. Has anyone had this problem, and how did you solve it?

Also, does GM install a timing chain dampener on any of the truck LS engines? Can the LS2 dampeners be used on a 5.3, and would it help or be worth it?

Thanks for any help.

 

They do have a slight press fit. Have you tried using the 3jaw puller you used to get the crank balancer off?

 

im pretty sure ls2 can tit on it an ls1 can...all a ls2 is a 6.0 dont c y not

 

Put the crank bolt back in finger tight and use a 3 jaw puller on the sprocket, once you get it loose it should pull right off. You can use the dampener, but you need to drill and tap the block for the bolts...

 

OK... I used the puller to get it off. I didn't realize it would be so tight. When I swapped the cam in my L67 3800, the crank sprocket just came off by hand.

I'm working on an L33 5.3, and the block has 2 threaded holes between the cam and crank. I've seen pics of an LS2 with a timing chain dampener, so that's why my question about it. I went ahead and bought one to see if it would work in a 5.3, and it's an exact fit! Here are a few pics of it:





The LS2 dampener is GM part #12588670 and includes the 2 mounting bolts if anyone is interested.