351W timing set
Postmaster
Joined: Jun 2005
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Cam gear.......Look at where the keyway is cut into it and then look at where the dot is on the gear ....0* they should line up.....if it was retarded the keyway would be to one side or the other from the dot....i think it was like 72 or 70 they started doing that to the 460s
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Joined: May 2003
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From: south louisiana
Originally Posted by HemiEater
Look at where the key is cut into the crank gear...now look at where the dot is....
Not sure what year or if they even retarted the timing in a 351 I know they did the 460....
Not sure what year or if they even retarted the timing in a 351 I know they did the 460....
unless they revised the orientation of the lobe centers vs just moving the dot on the gears. In that case only way to tell is to degree the cam, and have the specs to compare it to.
Ford Parts Specialist
Joined: Nov 2006
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From: Simi Valley, CA
Originally Posted by Brian460
If and when did they start retarding cam timing on the 351W. Was it the crank or cam gear that is different. How can you tell by looking at the gears?
Crank sprocket: 1969/72 / 1973/85.
1985 is the last yr for a 351 2V, the reason for the end date.
The 4V 351W from 1984/, and the 351W EFI's used different part numbered sprockets.
I have no references after 1991.
Last edited by NumberDummy; Nov 10, 2007 at 03:34 PM.
Posting Guru
Joined: Jan 2007
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From: shawnee KS
So which is it the cam or crank sprocket? I am going out in a few to start tearing it down, and still am confused. I want the pre-emissions set. So-do both sprockets need to be straight up?
Hemi eater-there is no keyway on the cam gear, it is a hole where a pin goes.
I was told that by putting the timing set that an 86 called for in it when I removed all the emissions, that I screwed up. I was told that it would run way better with a pre-emmisions set in it. I have driven the auto parts store guys crazy for two days trying to get this figured out, and it only seems to get more confusing.
I am not complaining or upset or anything, I only want to drain the coolant and tear it down once for my intake and timing set (if it even needs one, this set is new but if one of the gears is wrong, I'll change it).
Someone give it to me straight- I'm going out to start the tear down. If I don't hear anything, I won't change it, as it runs fine. But if it is wrong, and will run better with something else, tell me and I'll change it.
Hemi eater-there is no keyway on the cam gear, it is a hole where a pin goes.
I was told that by putting the timing set that an 86 called for in it when I removed all the emissions, that I screwed up. I was told that it would run way better with a pre-emmisions set in it. I have driven the auto parts store guys crazy for two days trying to get this figured out, and it only seems to get more confusing.
I am not complaining or upset or anything, I only want to drain the coolant and tear it down once for my intake and timing set (if it even needs one, this set is new but if one of the gears is wrong, I'll change it).
Someone give it to me straight- I'm going out to start the tear down. If I don't hear anything, I won't change it, as it runs fine. But if it is wrong, and will run better with something else, tell me and I'll change it.
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Posting Guru
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From: shawnee KS
Just went up to the parts store and triple checked the set I bought. It is made by S A Gear, and it is a "straight up" set. Pin on the cam gear is straight up from the dot, keyway on the crank gear is straight up from the dot. Is this the right set for no emissions or not?
I'm headed out right now to take eveything off to change the intake. I will check back before I start the reassemble process, so that if we come up with a definitive answer, I can continue to tear down for the timing chain as well. Thanks to all who are attempting to help.
I'm headed out right now to take eveything off to change the intake. I will check back before I start the reassemble process, so that if we come up with a definitive answer, I can continue to tear down for the timing chain as well. Thanks to all who are attempting to help.
Last edited by cfrives3; Nov 11, 2007 at 10:15 AM.
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Joined: May 2003
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From: south louisiana
I went out and checked the set in the 72 351C I have, the dots on both gears line up with the crank key and cam dowel. If the cam is retarded, it was done by altering the lobe centers, not the timing set. Does anyone actually have a timing set with the dots off center from the cank key or the cam dowel ? All the spare sets I kept from other motors don't, that includes two factory O.E. 5.0 roller sets.
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Joined: Jan 2007
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From: shawnee KS
I pretty much came to the conclusion to just run it, as they are straight up, and this timing set isn't even 6 mo. old. I got it put back together with the new manifold today. I have a 70 windsor in the shed. I'll end up pulling the cover off to see sometime, and I'll just do something then if need be.
Postmaster
Joined: Jun 2005
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Originally Posted by baddad457
I went out and checked the set in the 72 351C I have, the dots on both gears line up with the crank key and cam dowel. If the cam is retarded, it was done by altering the lobe centers, not the timing set. Does anyone actually have a timing set with the dots off center from the cank key or the cam dowel ? All the spare sets I kept from other motors don't, that includes two factory O.E. 5.0 roller sets.
it wasn't the cam....it was the gear set that I know...
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Joined: May 2003
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From: south louisiana
I've always heard that most of the Ford V8's had their cam timing retarded back in the 70's, the Clevelands especially. And if it was, this one had to have been done by altering the lobe centers on the cam. It's definately a 72 motor and has all the original parts there.