Guide rails & sliding blocks for the timing chain in Opel C30SE / 3.0i – 24Vs

The problem zone in our 24V straight-sixers is well known to be the timing drive, or the timing chain next to its guiders. The primary timing chain, which unfortunately tends to be undersized, is responsible for driving both camshafts, and is held in check with a (guide-) rail on the left, perpendicular to the engine block, and with a clamping rail on the passenger side. Both of these specimens are plastic pressure-casting products with an inner metal support. These rails are the real offenders against the durability of the C30SE. The plastic hardens and becomes brittle, at some point disappearing into the depths of the oil sump in the form of small crumbs or slightly larger chunks. This leaves the timing chain dangling without guidance in the timing case and the chain tensioner can no longer fulfil its function. In the worst-case scenario, the long primary chain can break and cause terrible engine damage. Obviously, it doesn’t necessary have to come to this, many engines run for years with defective timing parts. However, you should keep in mind that at any moment your engine could snuff out. Unfortunately, it is not so easy to renew timing parts in an Opel C30SE as it is to renew the timing belt in a modern engine. Those who wish to know how to complete this job with a high level of quality should, in our opinion, firstly remove the cylinder head and the oil sump. To do this, it is best if you first remove the engine from the car body, as this makes all the parts easy to reach, meaning the job can be completed quickly and without obstruction. However, up until now we have overlooked the most important problem: It isn’t possible to buy all the required parts!! The clamping rail for the timing chain has been hard to come by for years, but luckily we can still deliver the rails as an original part from remainder stock. The thing that we were only able to offer for a short amount of time, and that was three years ago now, was the guide rail for the opposite side of the clamping arm. The last of the remaining stocks are currently being sold in England for approximately 450€ (at the current conversion rate). We took on this problem last year and after much research, discussion and attempts, we have come to the following decision: we will reproduce the guide rail (Opel 636814 / 90352572) for the timing chain in Opel 3.0i – 24V – 4.0i – 24V / C30SE / C30SEJ / C30XEi / C36GET / C40SE engines in original quality (but with more optimal materials)!

Now, just on a year later, the rails are finally in stock and, for the foreseeable future, we can proudly provide the 24V drivers with these so very important parts! To round out the whole thing, up in the cylinder head the sliding block for the secondary chain tensioner was still missing. So we have also had this directly reproduced. Now, we are not only able to deliver all sliding- & guiding parts for the timing drive, but we can also provide all the other necessary parts, such as the timing chain itself, the timing chain tensioner, seals, shaft seal rings and screws – all in one place. As per usual here in the edelschmiede, we have also assembled a number of useful kits, so that you remember everything and even save a Euro or two. Naturally, you can also buy each part individually, but in addition we offer the following kits:

Repair – kit timing chain C30SE. This set contains the following pieces:

• Primary timing chain (long / large), 6 36 572
• Secondary timing chain (short / small), 6 36 374
• Clamping rail, 6 36 802
• Guide rail, 6 36 814
• Sliding block, 6 38 153
• Seal for the timing case on engine block left & right, 6 38 253 / 6 38 254
• Seal for the front cover on the cylinder head, 6 38 255
• Seal for the water pump on the timing case, 13 34 746
• Seal for the ignition distributer on the timing case, 12 12 654
• Shaft seal ring for crankshaft front, 6 38 303
• M7 screw set timing case & water pump.

With this set you can renew everything directly to do with the timing chain, however the seals for the engine / cylinder head are still missing, which is why we recommend the “all round carefree set for the timing chain 24V“:

• The basic set, as in the “Repair – kit timing chain C30SE”, in addition:
• Valve cap seal, 6 07 632
• Set (7 pieces) rubber buffers for valve cap on cylinder head, 6 07 944
• Caulking strips spark plug cover on valve cap, 6 07 633
• Seal thermostat casing on cylinder head, 13 36 575
• Reinz cylinder head seal, 6 07 973
• Set cylinder head screws (14 pieces / original parts), 6 07 941
• Shaft seal ring rear crankshaft, 6 14 816
• Seal for the oil sump, 6 52 598
• Seal for the injection valve bracket on the cylinder head (in 2 parts), 8 50 644
• O-Rings (6 pieces) injection valve bracket on inlet manifold, 8 50 638
• Seal for the exhaust manifold on cylinder head (in 2 parts), 8 50 637
• Seal for the oil suction pipe on engine block, 6 48 409
• Set (24 pieces) valve shaft seals, 6 42 527

With these sets, chosen according to the required repair, you will be in the overtaking lane! All parts are either original Opel parts or edelschmiede reproductions that are just as good! When you aren’t sure how to go about the installation, Dirk Lohmann has provided installation hints and tips for us 24V drivers on his website www.senator-monza.de.

Wishing you lots of fun with your tinkering,

Thomas