Anyone know the cost or the difficulty of changing the timing chain on a 351M? Through research I've heard the stock chain is not good and replacing one will immediately change the engines performance.

 

The stock chain sucks. It was fords way of fighting emissions. Stock chains and stock replacement chains are retarded 4 degrees from the factory which killed power and your miles per gallon. So when you get a new chain get a straight up set. While your at it put in a new cam and wake that beast up.

 

I'm not sure the rules on linking to other sites...but there's a great write-up on another site I frequent, that I'll shoot your way. It's really not difficult at all...can be done in 2-3 hours start to finish...and cost depends on quality of parts. Timing sets can range anywhere from $20-$120, plus gaskets ($40), plus oil ($25 minimum), plus antifreeze ($30 minimum). Then I always find other stuff to do while I'm performing 'surgery'.



Edit...it doesn't look like you have your PM's set up bossman...so here's the link:

http://www.fordtruckfanatics.com/for...ad.php?t=13066


If that link is against forum policy, could a mod please delete. Thanks.

 

So, not to hijack, but how do you know the timing set you are buying is the "straight up" set and not the factory replacement?

 

When you go buy a timing set at say Jegs or Summit Racing or even your local autozone. They will say stock replacement. A straight up timing set will be an adjustable one. The lower end 40 dollar ones cause be adjusted 3 different ways. 4 degrees retarded straight up and 4 degrees advance. Any chain you look at will say if its adjustable or not.

heres a link to what I'm talking about
JEGS Roller Timing Chain Sets - JEGS

You can see in the description that its a 3 way adjustable keyway.
Hope this helped!

 

Thanks for that link, it looks like it would probably be weekend project. Appreciate the info, this is definately next on my list of what to do, after a stereo lol.