Hello my 87 ford bronco II 2.9 idles rough. Checked fuel it's fine ran codes all systems pass. So I Checked the timing and I noticed the distribuer is turned counterclockwise far as it will go with the module on the distrbuer hitting the vavle cover she can't go no more and it's like it need to advance alittle more to smooth it out but you can't it can't turn anymore. So i put a timing light on it and noticed the timing mark is in the right spot but it's not steady moves up and down some. I then checked TDC it's fine. I had the rotor cap off here's how I checked the slack in the chain. with the rotor cap off I slowly turned the crank pully clockwise till I seen the rotor to start to move. I then made a mark on the crank and then turned the pully coutnerclockwise till the rotor started to move and made another mark. It took a 3/4 of a inch before the slack took up not good. Anyone ever replace timing chain and gears in a 2.9? in the book it says to remove the oil pan but says you can remove the front cover with the oil pan on. so why remove the oil pan? It's looks like a real pain remove the pan. The only reason I see to remove the oil pan is becase removing the crank gear. can you remove the gear with the oil pan on? Also too if the pan is in the way can I just drop it some to get the gear pass? The sleeve seal on the front cover how do I remove it and install it? And how do I know for sure the gear dots are lined up right. Anyhelp would be very very thanksful. thanks JJ

 

Anyone? Do I have to remove oil pan? I really don't wanna remove the oil pan!