400 Timing Chain?
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Senior User
Joined: Oct 2004
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From: Medina, Ohio
400 Timing Chain?
I have a 78 4x4 that I use as a daily driver and haul about 800 lbs. of tools in it. I would like to rebuild the engine some day. It does not use oil, but with the weight in it ,it is like driving a rock. Would just changing the timing chain give it a little more power and help the the gas milage,and would it be worth it? I have read about all the up grades you can do to the 400, but with two boys in school it might have to wait. What do you think? Thanks, Erv
P.S. F250, 400, C6, 410 gears.
P.S. F250, 400, C6, 410 gears.
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Senior User
Joined: Oct 2004
Posts: 307
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From: Medina, Ohio
Hi Dennis, I think you do a great job on the site. The engine has about 136,000. Runs great, and uses no oil to speak of. When I take the load out of it I have a little more power but not that much difference. Erv
Posting Legend
Joined: Sep 2001
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Buy an aftermarket multi position timing chain set. Remove the old chain. If it is still the OEM chain it is WAY overdue for replacement and could be totally worn out and ready to fail. Set the new chain "straight up" at the 0° keyway. If the distributor is operating you should probably leave it alone. If the engine pings with the new timing chain then the vac advance may need to be adjusted or the EGR system repaired.
Postmaster
Joined: Feb 2003
Posts: 2,848
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From: Kentucky
Originally Posted by Ervin
I have a 78 4x4 that I use as a daily driver and haul about 800 lbs. of tools in it. I would like to rebuild the engine some day. It does not use oil, but with the weight in it ,it is like driving a rock. Would just changing the timing chain give it a little more power and help the the gas milage,and would it be worth it? I have read about all the up grades you can do to the 400, but with two boys in school it might have to wait. What do you think? Thanks, Erv
P.S. F250, 400, C6, 410 gears.
P.S. F250, 400, C6, 410 gears.
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Thread Starter
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Senior User
Joined: Oct 2004
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From: Medina, Ohio
Went out and did a comp. test this morn. I got about 125- 130 on all. Did do a tune-up in the summer. That made it run alot better. I do think I need to do some ajusting on the vac advance,it seemed hard to get it timed just right to get rid of the pingning. Or could this be the EGR? Right now the dist. is up against the water outlet to make it run. Thanks,Erv
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Joined: Mar 2002
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From: Boise, Idaho
Ervin, yes, if your EGR system is malfunctioning, it will cause the engine to ping. You might be able to clean the EGR valve with oven cleaner. When you take it off, check the passage to see if the exhaust gas passage is clogged.
Postmaster
Joined: Feb 2003
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From: Kentucky
Originally Posted by Ervin
Went out and did a comp. test this morn. I got about 125- 130 on all. Did do a tune-up in the summer. That made it run alot better. I do think I need to do some ajusting on the vac advance,it seemed hard to get it timed just right to get rid of the pingning. Or could this be the EGR? Right now the dist. is up against the water outlet to make it run. Thanks,Erv
If not in time, and with the good tune you say it has, along with the compression readings looking o.k., and by rotating the dizzy, it still will not get you back on to your factory timing setpoint, then your back to timing ( distributor advance problems ?) or timing chain issues. Thats about all I know to tell you, I am not a good mechanic by any means, sorry. Matter of fact, I am struggling now with my own newly rebuilt 400 demons .
good luck to you