Timing Chain Replacement
Le Mans Master
Joined: Aug 2017
Posts: 8,336
Likes: 2,810
From: Cool Northern Michigan
You misunderstood. Oil Pan Stud Kit. So much easier.
Studs go into the block, you align the oil pan with the studs with one hand, then start a nut onto the stud with your other hand. No more trying to find the threaded holes in the block.
The kits are around $25.
The distributor does not need to be removed. As stated before, when you drop the oil pump the shaft will drop also. Reinstalling the shaft / pump is just as easy.
You are trying to make this harder than it is. The pump shaft will align with the dizzy, eventually. May have to turn the pump shaft a smidge. Easy peevy.
What was your oil pressure currently, do you know?
Studs go into the block, you align the oil pan with the studs with one hand, then start a nut onto the stud with your other hand. No more trying to find the threaded holes in the block.
The kits are around $25.
The distributor does not need to be removed. As stated before, when you drop the oil pump the shaft will drop also. Reinstalling the shaft / pump is just as easy.
You are trying to make this harder than it is. The pump shaft will align with the dizzy, eventually. May have to turn the pump shaft a smidge. Easy peevy.
What was your oil pressure currently, do you know?
Last edited by HeadsU.P.; Jan 2, 2024 at 09:11 PM.
Thread Starter
Burning Brakes
Joined: Jul 2018
Posts: 979
Likes: 258
From: Maryland
You misunderstood. Oil Pan Stud Kit. So much easier.
Studs go into the block, you align the oil pan with the studs with one hand, then start a nut onto the stud with your other hand. No more trying to find the threaded holes in the block.
The kits are around $25.
The distributor does not need to be removed. As stated before, when you drop the oil pump the shaft will drop also. Reinstalling the shaft / pump is just as easy.
You are trying to make this harder than it is. The pump shaft will align with the dizzy, eventually. May have to turn the pump shaft a smidge. Easy peevy.
What was your oil pressure currently, do you know?
Studs go into the block, you align the oil pan with the studs with one hand, then start a nut onto the stud with your other hand. No more trying to find the threaded holes in the block.
The kits are around $25.
The distributor does not need to be removed. As stated before, when you drop the oil pump the shaft will drop also. Reinstalling the shaft / pump is just as easy.
You are trying to make this harder than it is. The pump shaft will align with the dizzy, eventually. May have to turn the pump shaft a smidge. Easy peevy.
What was your oil pressure currently, do you know?
Team Owner
Joined: May 2001
Posts: 87,418
Likes: 1,598
From: Western NY
I take it that to replace the oil pump shaft I should remove the distributor first, correct? Not an issue as I've replaced distributors before - I was assuming that getting that shaft key in the exact location (relative to the distro shaft key) it was before hand would be almost impossible. I would just mark the location of the rotor (pointing at #6 now that I moved the cam and crank marks on top of each other) and then replace the distributor to the same location.
This job is done from the bottom, while you have the oil pan off. You remove the oil pump from the rear main bearing cap, by loosening/removing the one retaining bolt. The drive shaft usually drops down along with the pump. Remove the shaft and plastic coupler from the pump, set the new shaft in place, on the pump, then slide the pump and driveshaft back up through the main cap, and if necessary, turn it a little bit, until the slot in the driveshaft engages in the tang on the bottom of the distributor shaft. Reinstall the bolt that holds the pump in place, then proceed with reinstalling the oil pan.
Team Owner
Joined: May 2001
Posts: 87,418
Likes: 1,598
From: Western NY
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Le Mans Master
Joined: Aug 2017
Posts: 8,336
Likes: 2,810
From: Cool Northern Michigan
Did you opt out on changing the crank sprocket? Perhaps you don't have a gear puller?
The crank sprocket looks used. Looks like chain link wear marks on the sprocket.
And somebody center-punched the dot . . . .twice!
Maybe it's just me, but the chain still seems to have a lot of slop for being brand new.
Often times that is an indication that the block was aligned-bored at one time. That machining process raises the center line of the crank, ever so slightly.
Last edited by HeadsU.P.; Jan 3, 2024 at 04:16 PM.
Team Owner
Joined: May 2001
Posts: 87,418
Likes: 1,598
From: Western NY
Mr. jpatrick62,
Did you opt out on changing the crank sprocket? Perhaps you don't have a gear puller?
The crank sprocket looks used. Looks like chain link wear marks on the sprocket.
And somebody center-punched the dot . . . .twice!
Maybe it's just me, but the chain still seems to have a lot of slop for being brand new.
Often times that is an indication that the block was aligned-bored at one time. That machining process raises the center line of the crank, ever so slightly.
Did you opt out on changing the crank sprocket? Perhaps you don't have a gear puller?
The crank sprocket looks used. Looks like chain link wear marks on the sprocket.
And somebody center-punched the dot . . . .twice!
Maybe it's just me, but the chain still seems to have a lot of slop for being brand new.
Often times that is an indication that the block was aligned-bored at one time. That machining process raises the center line of the crank, ever so slightly.
I'm not 100% sure, but I seem to recall reading somewhere that Cloyes made a timing set, or just a chain, that was 0.010-0.020" shorter, for those "special occasions".
Melting Slicks
Joined: Oct 2010
Posts: 2,276
Likes: 337
From: "ɹǝpunuʍop", Adelaide, South Australia
and yes, the chain does appear to be a little loose for a new chain.
I just replaced a chain on a friends '79 a few months ago and it was much tighter than that.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Aug 2017
Posts: 8,336
Likes: 2,810
From: Cool Northern Michigan
Yes, I believe they are special order for align-bore cases. Seems to me they were 0.100 shorter. Not quite an 1/8.
Thread Starter
Burning Brakes
Joined: Jul 2018
Posts: 979
Likes: 258
From: Maryland
NO!!!
This job is done from the bottom, while you have the oil pan off. You remove the oil pump from the rear main bearing cap, by loosening/removing the one retaining bolt. The drive shaft usually drops down along with the pump. Remove the shaft and plastic coupler from the pump, set the new shaft in place, on the pump, then slide the pump and driveshaft back up through the main cap, and if necessary, turn it a little bit, until the slot in the driveshaft engages in the tang on the bottom of the distributor shaft. Reinstall the bolt that holds the pump in place, then proceed with reinstalling the oil pan.
This job is done from the bottom, while you have the oil pan off. You remove the oil pump from the rear main bearing cap, by loosening/removing the one retaining bolt. The drive shaft usually drops down along with the pump. Remove the shaft and plastic coupler from the pump, set the new shaft in place, on the pump, then slide the pump and driveshaft back up through the main cap, and if necessary, turn it a little bit, until the slot in the driveshaft engages in the tang on the bottom of the distributor shaft. Reinstall the bolt that holds the pump in place, then proceed with reinstalling the oil pan.
Thread Starter
Burning Brakes
Joined: Jul 2018
Posts: 979
Likes: 258
From: Maryland
And I filled in the alignment dots to make it easier to see.
Thread Starter
Burning Brakes
Joined: Jul 2018
Posts: 979
Likes: 258
From: Maryland
Mr. jpatrick62,
Did you opt out on changing the crank sprocket? Perhaps you don't have a gear puller?
The crank sprocket looks used. Looks like chain link wear marks on the sprocket.
And somebody center-punched the dot . . . .twice!
Maybe it's just me, but the chain still seems to have a lot of slop for being brand new.
Often times that is an indication that the block was aligned-bored at one time. That machining process raises the center line of the crank, ever so slightly.
Did you opt out on changing the crank sprocket? Perhaps you don't have a gear puller?
The crank sprocket looks used. Looks like chain link wear marks on the sprocket.
And somebody center-punched the dot . . . .twice!
Maybe it's just me, but the chain still seems to have a lot of slop for being brand new.
Often times that is an indication that the block was aligned-bored at one time. That machining process raises the center line of the crank, ever so slightly.
process was easier. You are very observant - that old chain had a ton of slop which was causing the timing mark to leap around when I tried to time the engine.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Aug 2017
Posts: 8,336
Likes: 2,810
From: Cool Northern Michigan
Just a note here about inconsistent timing marks.
Some timing lights can not read some HEI systems. The flash may black-out or even move the timing marks.
Nothing to be concerned about, it's just how some timing lights are.
Some timing lights can not read some HEI systems. The flash may black-out or even move the timing marks.
Nothing to be concerned about, it's just how some timing lights are.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Dec 2014
Posts: 2,790
Likes: 2,336
From: Central UT
Hi jpatrick62, just checking in on the gear set shown in post #4 as a close up. I'm not certain if you're planning on replacing the gear set or not (unless I missed it?) - but I sure would. There is wear showing on the crank gear, and there probably is on the cam gear as well. Quality double roller sets aren't really that expensive and you have it all apart anyway. Just checking. Best, Paul
Thread Starter
Burning Brakes
Joined: Jul 2018
Posts: 979
Likes: 258
From: Maryland
Hi jpatrick62, just checking in on the gear set shown in post #4 as a close up. I'm not certain if you're planning on replacing the gear set or not (unless I missed it?) - but I sure would. There is wear showing on the crank gear, and there probably is on the cam gear as well. Quality double roller sets aren't really that expensive and you have it all apart anyway. Just checking. Best, Paul
Team Owner
Joined: May 2001
Posts: 87,418
Likes: 1,598
From: Western NY
