[Night Wolf]

Update on my OPDA:

Original failed at 65k. The current replacement has been in since. Jeep now has 97.5k. FOGMOD was not done at first install, but around ~85k. At this time, I greased it (only time) however - as I mentioned prior in this thread - I used "Green grease" which apparently is excellent stuff, but not made for high speed use such as the OPDA - more suited to chassis style uses. I was warned about it by another member and have been meaning to replace it.

Aeroshell 33MS arrived so I removed the OPDA - I've been dreading this as I was wondering if the "Green Grease" may have been an issue and cause premature wear. I decided to take it out, and apart so I could fully purge all the old grease out, and new grease in.

Much to my surprise - there was no surprise! In fact, I was very impressed with what I saw. Keep in mind, my cam gear shows wear - as the original OPDA was seized up pretty bad. The shaft spun freely (I have a couple videos of it) and the gear doesn't look any more worn than when I did the FOGMOD, shaft looks good too. I was also surprised - but it appears to be very fine "wear" on the backside of the gear - would that mean the OPDA is freely spinning and requiring the cam to slow it down as engine RPM drops, instead of it slowing down on its' own?

After seeing how good it was - I was ready to use the Green Grease more, but I had to put the ~$23 bottle of Aeroshell 33MS to use. We used this stuff on the aircraft at my last job, not at the current place.

[Heath]

Been using the sticky green grease since I bought my LJ. No issue here so far.

[98xjroks]

Originally Posted by Night Wolf

Valvoline VR-1 10w-30

IIRC, I bought the plug and grease fitting at Ace hardware. I think the taps were already in my Craftsman tap kits - I have one SAE and one Metric. Either way, they are readily availible. You don't have to use the exact sizes listed either.

Coating the shaft is a good idea. I wouldn't hold out for a replacement - FOGMOD the new one. If you are concerned about the future - buy another as a spare. It's about all you can do now. Be happy they are being made again (for how long?) and cheap. It was a real scare when production ended, they were $400+ and people couldn't get them.

I have a brand new spare now, if in another year or two nothing else comes of this - I'll probably buy another. I plan on keeping the Jeep for a -long- time. ~$140 isn't really that big of a deal - try sourcing one of these things 20yrs from now!

If anything happens to my engine, I'd end up building a 4.6/4.7 stroker - and really look into doing a full ecm/wiring swap to 2001-2004 style which runs the non-POS and cheap OPDA - I don't see why it couldn't be done.

I will probably take your advice and buy a new spare just to have around (peace of mind). Since i've already ordered the Aeroshell 33ms grease I'll most like "fogmod" the new unit I just installed, I guess depending on the amount of miles I drive it. It could take me 5-7 years to accumulate 15-20k and thats on the high side.

I'm just nervous to mess with it too much now. My luck I'd break the gear punching out the roll pin and screw the pooch.

[06choppertj]

01

[shoeless]

Originally Posted by 06choppertj

I can answer your question about uneven wear patterns. The more substancial wear pattern is from driving forward. The opposite, light wear pattern is from driving in reverse.

I'm assuming you forgot a or J/K.....

[flying_bosun]

Originally Posted by 06choppertj

I can answer your question about uneven wear patterns. The more substancial wear pattern is from driving forward. The opposite, light wear pattern is from driving in reverse.

What?!

(edited for proper quotee)

[badtux]

Originally Posted by flying_bosun

What?!

The camshaft only turns one direction whether you're going forward or reverse, is what he was referring to .

[shoeless]

Originally Posted by flying_bosun

What?!

His comment has to be a joke. It makes no sense. If he means literally with the trans in forward or reverse, the engine still rotates in the same direction. If he means in mechanical terms of driven and driving gears, it makes a little sense but is still wrong.

[06choppertj]

Please refer to ring and worm gear basics.

[badtux]

Uhm, the point is that this gear is only driven in the forward direction. You weren't joking? Wow!

[06choppertj]

So how do you explain the wear on the trailing edge of the gear?

[Benderff]

Originally Posted by 06choppertj

I can answer your question about uneven wear patterns. The more substancial wear pattern is from driving forward. The opposite, light wear pattern is from driving in reverse.

Bahahahahaha.

[Brainwashed2566]

oh my.

[badtux]

Someone who thinks the engine runs backwards when the car is in reverse?

[tkki1230]

Originally Posted by 06choppertj

So, smart one, how do you explain the wear, any wear, on the "reverse side" of the gear?