94' 3.1 cam problem

[dieselbob48]

Hello, a newbie here. I just found this forum tonight and was hoping you could help. I hauled my Uncle's beater 223,000 mile 94' Transport with a TBI 3.1 back to my home shop with a crank, but no start condition. I quickly discovered a no spark situation, so after testing power supply to the coil, I pulled the distributor cap and soon discovered that the distributor was not turning. I pulled the oil cap and could see that the #1 cylinder rocker arms were also not moving. So what are the odds I have a broken timing chain vs. a broken cam? I don't know these motors well enough to know if this generation had cam breakage problems or not. If it's just the chain, do you need to remove the oil pan to get the front cover off, and if so, can you pull the pan in this chassis without picking up the motor? If it IS the cam, can you even get the cam out of the block on this chassis without removing the engine? This van quit while cruising at 50 MPH. What are the odds of valve damage? When the engine is cranked over, there is nothing that sounds like a broken chain getting knocked around under the front cover. This poor old beast needs to be given last rights, but I'm sure my uncle will want it fixed if it can be done for a reasonable price. I have my doubts. Thanks in advance if you can enlighten me. Diesel Bob

[geoffinbc]

Sounds like the chain. Cam breakage is not common unless there is water in the oil. The front cover can be removed without the pan being removed. I have done it twice and it just takes a little finesse to successfully get the cover back on. A bead of RTV on the oil pan seal after it is cleaned with brake cleaner will ensure a leak free job. The motor is an interference motor but people do get lucky. Just look for bent pushrods if there all straight you should be ok.