timing pointer location
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timing pointer location
I bought a used, but rebuilt, 400 from a guy a about a year ago. Just this week, when getting ready to install it, I realized that it has a timing pointer on the driver's side of the engine (and none on the passenger's side). The pointer looks factory but is definitely different than any 351m / 400 pointer I've ever seen. Even if the pointer and balancer are matched / accurate / correct, I'll never be able to see them behind the radiator hose and powersteering bracket and pump. Could this be a car balancer and pointer or something? Can I switch to a passenger's side pointer (and balancer)? Any help or insight would be greatly appreciated...
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From: chicago burbs
i wonder if it's an early 400? many lower radiator hoses went to the passenger side. my 68 302 had a water pump that went to the passenger side, pretty sure i saved that one.
have you verified that the pointer is darn close to accurate?
have you verified that the pointer is darn close to accurate?
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You could always tune it by ear like the old timers. I was taught to idle at about 1500 rpm and advance timing until it runs good but stop before pinging. Then retard it slowly until the engine stops vibration and smooths out and lock it down. Many used engines will be off on specs for a timing light anyways and a lot of new ones aren't exactly on at the specified settings.
Laughing Gas
Joined: Nov 2002
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From: Fairmont
Can you take a picture of it and post it? I have only seen 2 pointer before, so I would like to see what that one looks like.
As far as water pumps goes, the SB was the only one (I thought) that had the early passenger side inlet.
As far as water pumps goes, the SB was the only one (I thought) that had the early passenger side inlet.
Last edited by TMI; Apr 5, 2007 at 04:38 PM.
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I've not spent anytime trying to figure out if the pointer and balancer are accurate (or even if they are even close) yet. My first instinct is to put on a balancer and pointer off of a truck engine, but I haven't put a lot of thought into it yet. The engine also has a front sump pan and the oil dipstick is on the front passengers side, not in the pan on the driver's side. I'll try to get a picture of it over the weekend...
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Postmaster
Joined: Aug 2001
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From: Delaware
Originally Posted by armikk
Did 2wd trucks also get front sump pans?
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Hotshot
Joined: Mar 2001
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From: Manhattan, KS
I have a 400 that supposedly came out of a '71 car, but had a rear sump pan installed by the previous owner. The block has a D1AE casting code and has the pointer on the passenger side. The oil dip stick is still on the front of the passenger side of the engine in the timing cover casting.
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Block casting is D7TE, but engine builder may have used parts from several different engines. The balancer is deeper (front to back) than the one on another 400 we have. The balancer casting started off with D5 something, I don't remember if the next letter was A or T... I tried posting pictures in my gallery, but didn't have much luck.
Hotshot
Joined: Mar 2001
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From: Manhattan, KS
I could be a smart a$$ and say the reason the pointer is on the other side is that you have a rare Aussie 400 and because they are designed to run south of the equator they revolve in the opposite direction of engines designed to run here. lol
Posting Guru
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From: chicago burbs
armikk sent me the pics here's the links to them,
like i said earlier, i have a feeling that the drivers side pointer might be from an early 400? many Fords had the lower hose running to the passenger side rather than the drivers side.
like i said earlier, i have a feeling that the drivers side pointer might be from an early 400? many Fords had the lower hose running to the passenger side rather than the drivers side.
Postmaster
Joined: Aug 2001
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From: Delaware
I swapped a '71 351C into a '67 stang and had to change the lower hose outlet on the radiator because the pump outlet was on the opposite side. The original motor was a 289, but as far as I know all 335 series motors had drivers side pump outlets. I wonder if the damper and pointer are off an early Windsor motor.
It looks like the timing cover is being marked by the damper.
This appears to be the work of a mass rebuilder.
It looks like the timing cover is being marked by the damper.
This appears to be the work of a mass rebuilder.
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From: chicago burbs
i don't see the cover being "marked" by the damper? nor do i recall a Windsor having a dowel for the mystery pointer to align with?
i've been asking and one guy says he had a drivers side timing pointer on a 351M, he believes it may've been a 76 model year.
i've been asking and one guy says he had a drivers side timing pointer on a 351M, he believes it may've been a 76 model year.