87 P30 Motorhome 7.4L Timing Gear-Steel or Nylon?

[bberger]

I have a 1987 P30 Motorhome with a 454. I have about 120,000 miles on it and I am concerned about the timing chain & gears. It runs like a top but I am worried that the timing gear being ready to puck. How can I find out if it is a steel or nylon gear. Just because it is a 1987 motorhome doesn't mean it is a 87 engine. It could be a 1986!

[Captkaos]

It is probably nylon if it is factory. Is it TBI or carb'd.
If it is carb'd and you can afford to pull it apart to replace it, I would.  I wouldn't trust a nylon gear much over 100,000 miles.
If it is TBI it probably has a metal gear, but it wouldn't hurt to check.  Have you seen any chunks in the pan when changing the oil.

[bberger]

It's got a carb and the oil is clean. It's not the expense it's the way I have to change it. I have to do it from the bottom on my back with my feet to the back of the motorhome. It should be a real pain but doable. That's why I am trying to find out what it is!