Timing Chain problems

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Aug 7, 2007 | 05:19 PM

Fords&Farmalls

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From: Kempton, PA!

Timing Chain problems

Hello everyone,
I have started to put togeather my 352 for my 1965 F-350 and have hit a snag. I have the crank, cam, and pistons installed and am putting on my timing chain. I bought a new one from summit. It isnt the stock one, its an upgraded double roller timing chain. On the big sproket, there is a metal pin that goes from the camshaft through the timing chain sproket and through the fuel pump eccentric. On my old one the pin was stuck in the sproket and since the new timing chain didn't come with a pin I hammered the old one out to use it. But the hole on the new sproket is too big. The pin is loose and will obviously fall out. Auto part stores havent had anything like this at all. Has anyone else had this problem, and how did you get around it? Would it be a very dumb idea to say, tackweld the pin into the sprocket? Any help is very much appreciated,
Thanks Garrett

Aug 7, 2007 | 05:40 PM

tbm3fan

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From: Concord, CA

I am in the process of doing this right now in my 410. First, was there a spacer behind your old cam gear??? If so then remove it immediately as the double gear set takes that into account. Manuals say nothing about it and you can create a world of problems if not removed. You could drive your cam backwards into the block when you torque the cam bolt to it's 40 lbs. and then run the engine. I got very lucky. As for the dowel it should slide through all three holes of the cam, gear and eccentric. It is not pressed in as mine came out with a tug of my fingers. I place the dowel in the cam hole first, slide the cam gear on and then place the eccentric next. Then put the cam bolt/washer on and torque down. As you torque the bolt down there should be a slight clockwise rotation of the eccentric as the washer contacts it. Happens to anything you tighten unless you physically try to hold the part to resist that motion. I would imagine that would be enough pressure to keep the dowel right where it should be.

Aug 8, 2007 | 06:49 AM

ddavidv

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From: Elizabethtown, PA

Quote:

Originally Posted by tbm3fan

+1, and I have the bent pushrods to prove it.

If you got a double roller chain, then the spacer will most likely have to go. Compare the 'face' of the gear where it meets the cam for depth to the old one.
Can't help you on the dowel issue, as mine fitted as it should.
You may also want to try this site if you can't get an answer on it.

Aug 8, 2007 | 09:10 AM

Fords&Farmalls

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From: Kempton, PA!

Is the spacer just like a washer or something? I will have to look at it again carefully, but I *think* the timing chain just went onto the end of the camshaft. The only thing there is is the plate with two allen wrench bolts which I assume holds the cam in. ( The cam is the only thing I didn't remove when rebuilding this motor). Also, to get the chain to line up, I have to put the sproket that goes on the crankshaft on "backwards", with the timing marks facing the motor, instead of me. I know as long as I get it lined up correctly, it wont matter which way I put the small sprocket on, but still it seems wierd to me. But thank you all for your help so far.
Garrett

Aug 8, 2007 | 10:09 AM

airharley

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From: Escondido, CA

I picked up the summit double roller timing chain set as well. Was it the 3 way adjustable timing set? I found my pin loose almost like you did. I luckily had another engine to compare the pins between and found the original one was in fact worn. I do know there is a difference between pre 63 engines with how the cam shafts are made compared to post 63.

Aug 8, 2007 | 12:04 PM

Fords&Farmalls

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From: Kempton, PA!

Yeah it is the 3 way ajustable timing chain. It is possible that my pin is worn, but it was really, really stuck in the original timing chain sprocket. I did look for another pin at 2 auto parts stores, neither which carry it. I have hit another snag also. There is a sleeve about 5 inches long that goes over the end of the crankshaft. About 2 inches of that is stepped down in width, which makes a place for the oil seal in the front timing chain cover to seal. I tried the new and old timing chains, and with both of them installed and the sleeve in, the front cover is a good inch away from the block. I cant seem to get this space down. I dont think I have anything in wrong, but is there any specifics I should look for? Any help here is appreciated as well
Thanks, Garrett

Aug 8, 2007 | 05:34 PM

Putt

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From: Colville, Washington

Garrett-stop and back up please!!!! The timing chain gears will both install with the dots facing you not the engine. The cam spacer is what is causing you grief, you MUST remove it in order to install your new timing gear set correctly. Once the crank gear is installed properly, the crank spacer will fit right. The cam spacer that causes all this trouble is in the "groove" between the hole in the cam retainer and the nose of the cam where the cam bolt threads in.