Hey guys. I have a 78 f250 with the 400 engine and C6 trans. I've herd the timing chain is retarded so I bought an aftermarket one to be straight up or advanced. How would I do this? I know how to get to the timing set and I know the dots on the gears have to be right ontop of each other. Other than that what else is there to do? Would it be best if it was straight up or advanced?

 

Just use the straight up setting. I just helped my dad do his 400 a few weeks ago. That was the first one of those I've ever did and I gotta say that plate design is the stupidest thing made. If your taking the oil pan off you won't mind it but if not good luck.

 

If you're asking how to align it straight up, the timing set should have paper instructions they are all a little different some have plus and minus the last one I did had like moons and triangles or something. The instructions will specify which is the advanced setting.

 

Align the dots on the big and small gears for straight-up timing. Don't go advanced, as straight-up will probably be more advanced than stock anyhow. And DO drop the pan. You'll never get the plate and seals in correct if you don't. And it'll leak like a screen door on a submarine...

When I did mine (again), I used a floor jack under the crank to lift the engine enough to maneuver the pan. After almost 40 years, the coils sag a bit...