351M timing
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Senior User
Joined: Aug 2001
Posts: 136
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From: Winthrop Harbor, IL
351M timing
Hi all,
I'm in the process of putting on a new timing chain set in my '79's 351M. It's a stock replacement Carquest unit. I guess my plan is to line up the dots on the gears, and let her rip (unless now is the time to install it "straight up"......with only one keyway on the crank gear, can I do this by advancing the cam a few degrees so the dots are no longer valid?).
By the way, we're looking at this rusty hulk at work, and one guy asks how to time it. There's one groove on the harmonic dampener, and some sort of bolt-on bracket for the front of the engine. Should there be degrees indicated on the dampener?
I'm in the process of putting on a new timing chain set in my '79's 351M. It's a stock replacement Carquest unit. I guess my plan is to line up the dots on the gears, and let her rip (unless now is the time to install it "straight up"......with only one keyway on the crank gear, can I do this by advancing the cam a few degrees so the dots are no longer valid?).
By the way, we're looking at this rusty hulk at work, and one guy asks how to time it. There's one groove on the harmonic dampener, and some sort of bolt-on bracket for the front of the engine. Should there be degrees indicated on the dampener?
Posting Legend
Joined: Sep 2001
Posts: 30,255
Likes: 37
I don't have any idea what timing chain set you might have. If you get an aftermarket chain set with multiple timing settings to use then you can time it straight up and be good.
Under all the rust on the damper you should find marks to set the ignition timing.
Under all the rust on the damper you should find marks to set the ignition timing.
Posting Legend
Joined: Sep 2001
Posts: 30,255
Likes: 37
Some of the parts store replacement chains are exact OEM replacements and are retarded 4 degrees. The "performance" replacement chains usually come with multiple keyways and are marked for timing positions like "0, +2, -2, +4, -4". I can usually tell by looking whether the cam sprocket is a straight up or 4D retarded sprocket. The Ford OEM sprockets were always set with the crankshaft sprocket for these engines. I have heard that the 460's can get a little strange... 
Thread Starter
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Senior User
Joined: Aug 2001
Posts: 136
Likes: 0
From: Winthrop Harbor, IL
A Summit brand chain had the mark on the cam gear 180° away from the stock piece. My Carquest brand unit has the cam gear mark in line with the dowel on the cam. The crank dot is right inline with the keyway.
