i was just thinking the other day about how old the timing chain is in my 88' efi 351w with 180g miles

and i have NO idea if it has been replaced or not and i was wondering whether yall think i should replace it or not as sort of preventing possible engine destruction or is it good for another 50k

and how big of a job is this for a shadetree mechanic

 

it might be a good idea if you feel up to the task. its not hard just time consuming. pull most everything off the front of motor including crank pully and dampner , make sure you have the #1 piston at tdc so you get the marks set .

 

if i decide to is there anything else i should replace or remove while im at it

 

Hmm, if your 88 351w is like mine, it has a double roller timing chain, and probably has less play and wear than you think. I sure was surprised to see the roller chain when I took the timing cover off. I don't know if that was specific to the 351 HD or not, mine is the HD engine.

As far as the job itself goes, anyone can do it, but be warned, you'll probably break several of the water pump bolts getting them out, and I don't think there's any way you can get around that, just part of the problem of having an aluminum water pump housing on a cast iron block.

 

might look into a cam upgrade while your in there.

 

well i have time to look at cams because this is about 10 projects down from where i am at on my "to fix" list right now

thanks for the advice

 

just an fyi a good cam would be 35-255-5 from compcam. lots of fellow bronco owners i know run that one and like it. and it is speed density friendly.

late

 

Kemicalburns, what are the specs on that cam, and do you by chance know the specs for the stock cam?

 

im not sure what stock is but here are the specs for the one i mentioned
Part Number 35-255-5
Engine 1969-1995 Ford
351ci,
Windsor,
8cyl.
Grind Number FW XE254H-14
Description

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Intake Exhaust
Valve Adjustment 0 0
Gross Valve Lift 0.478 0.485
Duration At 0.006 Tappet Lift 254 258

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Valve Timing At 0.006
Open Close
Intake 17 57
Exhaust 67 11

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

These Specs Are For The Cam Installed At 110 Intake CL
Intake Exhaust
Duration At 0.05 210 214
Lobe Lift 0.299 0.303
Lobe Separation 114

 

Beasty: Just from reading your post I believe you might think that the 351 timing gear going out is the same as a rice burner engine timing belt going out. If the gear wears out it will not cause a catastrophic failure with valves hitting the pistons like in a rice burner engine. Just some info for you. Good Luck

 

hey beasty -
I am in the process of changing the timing chain on my 351w in my 93 F-150. I have the new chain and sprockets in place and the cover on, just waiting on a new harmonic balancer. I used a wheel puller to get it off, wasn't thinking, and pulled the outer ring off of the inner part. Don't do that! Make sure and use a harmonic balancer puller (if you don't have one they're like $12), very easy to use. Change the water pump while you're at it.

I did not find that any of the bolts were significantly corroded, just a couple on the water pump but they still came out alright. Make sure to have penetrating oil and degreaser handy, because the front of the engine block behind the water pump will be disgusting. You will want it cleaned off so you can put on the new gasket for the timing cover without getting crap everywhere. Also, get some sealer for the gaskets. There is a thick gasket that goes between the oil pan and the timing cover that you will not replace (you would have to drop the oil pan to do that) but you will need to clean it up and probably stick it back to the oil pan with sealer so that you can correctly position the timing cover.

By the way, do you have a manual for your truck? That will help the process big time.

 

great replies thanx for all the advice
however something broke in my ignition tonite so since this is a daily driver that means big trouble and everything else goes on hold
if yall have any ideas the post is www.ford-trucks.com/forums/showthread.php?t=266417

 

So long as you have the front of the engine stripped, get a new water pump and the small hoses that attach to it. Super annoying to get it all back together and drip drip drip...

 

Ditto to what rhino76 says and do yourself a favor by cleaning ALL the bolts and coat them with anti-sieze when you reinstall them!

 

well i might be getting to this sooner than i thought my engine seems to have taken about a quart of oil in 30 miles and it doesnt seem to leak that bad so i guess i will hafta do some research and rebuild it anyways im sure that while im doing that the timing chain and cam wont be any big deal to get to