ok so I replaced the timing cover gasket ....put new timing chain and sprockets in(also new water pump and thermostat....) anyway I think I may have not gotten timing gears line up exactly right....the problem I have now is engine runs a little ruff and when starting its having a hard time turning over....but once it does start it seems to run fine other than a little ruff....so question is I could be like one tooth off and have this problem ...is there a way to check this out before I tear it back down again.....thanks

 

Did you remove distributer during your change? Have you checked Codes? Was the old chain very loose? Have you adjusted timing with a light and remove spout? Lots of details we need.

 

I didn't touch the distributor...and the rest I haven't check ...the old chain wasn't very loose....before I did the work I didn't have any issues with the starting and now it takes all its got to turn over

 

Sounds like you got it a tooth off based on your comments, timing should be tad advanced now with the new chain on it but not a drastic change. That is if the timing had been adjusted making up for slack in the chain in the past during course of normal maintenance.

First set the base timing with a timing light see how it starts/runs, go from there.

You should always check/set the base timing using a light right after replacing a timing chain regardless, its going to need adjustment to make it right.

 

Well, new chain and gears could have changed timing a little, but not much. Hard rolling over to start is usually a sign of being advanced too far. I have to say, you may have just learned one of the most important lessons of engine work. Install part......... Check to make sure its correct...........Then check it again to be sure......... Then check it one more time to be ABSOLUTELY SURE. I would get a timing light and check timing to see where its at before I tore the whole front of the motor apart again though. Do you know the timing procedure for these motors?

 

The procedure requires the timing marks on the original gears to be aligned before dissassembly.

The new gears, many made by Cloyes, often have multiple alignment marks to be installed at original timing, advanced, or retarded, to suit multiple applications.

The marks for example might be a circle for stock, a square for advanced, and a triangle for retarded, as installed.

Just throwing that out there.

 

I will check it out t...these gears just had one mark...they were dots on each gear....thanks for the replies.....

 

I looked and found the the timing marks ...but I cant seem to find the guide that is usually there to let u know where the timing is set....any suggestions?

 

I'm kind of thick, so your question, at least to me, is confusing.

For example:

I think your saying that you've found the timing marks on the harmonic balancer, but the tab, thats attached to the timing cover, the tab that the timing mark is adjusted to when viewing with a timing light, is missing.

If so, the tab will have to be there to set timing. It's installed with a screw.

By the way, what year truck and which engine?

 

yes I found marks on harmonic balancer...but the tab is missing....its a 93 f250 351w 5.8

 

Did you have any leftover (un-needed) parts from the first tear-apart? Google what it looks like, that will probably help your memory. Can't time it without it.

 

It's kind of curious that the tab would be missing.

Apparently you had the timing cover off recently to replace the chain.

Was the original cover reinstalled?

I would think that the crankshaft seal on the timing cover was replaced, in which case the tab is really prominent, in that you have to allow for it when pulling the old seal and installing the new seal.

In other words it's nice to pull the tab to position the timing cover on a block(s) of wood to do the seal work.

 

You do not need the timing tab to align the cam and crank sprockets, you both are over-thinking this:

 

If you read through the thread, it was suggested that the timing chain that was just installed may be a tooth off, and that the next step was to check the timing via timing light.

That is where the issue with the absence of the timing tab came up.

Or so I think.

 

I did read the entire thread, hence my reply.....

It was unclear to me about the reference to the timing tab as well.