1987 F-150 4.9 174,000 miles

My truck died while driving down the highway yesterday. I had it towed home and did some troubleshooting today. I replaced the coil thinking that is why I have no spark. That didn't work so I had my ignition module tested at Autozone. The module passed. I then cranked the motor over with the distributor cap off and noticed the rotor is not turning. So I guess I either have a pin sheared off on the distributor or my timing gears are stripped.

Assuming my timing gears are stripped I have some questions. Autozone carries aluminum replacement gears for around $40. Is there anything I should now about replacement timing gears? I know my stock gears are fiber. If the aluminum gears are noisier but stronger that will work for me. After searching it seems the gears are a pain to remove. Any tips? I plan on renting a tool to remove my fan clutch and harmonic balancer. Do I need any other special tools? After removing the fan clutch and harmonic balancer I will then remove the water pump and thermostat. Do I need to remove my radiator also? Then I remove the timing gear cover. Then I have to remove the gears. Then I install new gears with some type of alignment marks/holes. How do I know if the cam is aligned with the crank? This is my main concern. After that I will re-assemble everything. I understand removing the oil pan and cleaning out any chipped/broken gears is a good idea? As well as replacing the oil pump? Any tips for that? Basically I'm looking for any advise. I will be working outside in cold weather during this project so I would like to eliminate as many problems before hand! Thanks, Brian.

 

Had exact same thing happen on my 96 F250. Now trying to remove harmonic balancer. Rented fan clutch tool from Advance for $60.00 till I return it.

 

You'd need special tools to remove/install the gear set and one to reinstall the timing cover (or just use the balancer), you can rent them as well. (Don't just drive the gear set on with a hammer, must press em back on!)

Myself I'd find out exactly what broke before renting anything until I was sure.

Pull the dizzy for example, check its shaft and its driven gear/pin. Gear snap and fall in oil pan?

Pull the valve cover or lifter pans and turn the main shaft see if the cam spins, all of it spin? or snapped in half?

Etc etc...