Timing Chain questions

John Burne

John Burne

Member
After delays due to the cold weather and garage furnace trouble, my friend Ralph and I are finally getting to work on my Y-block swap. Ralph wanted to put a new timing chain on the 1962 292 Y-block that is going to be dropped into my truck. We got into it yesterday and I'm learning a lot. I was really surprised to find the existing timing chain was quite loose or slack. Furthermore the dots were not even close to being aligned. I thought we had a pretty good history on the motor and there were reportedly low miles on it. Ralph had the motor in his F-100 last year and it ran smooth with good power and good oil pressure. How could a motor run so well with such a slack timing chain and out of alignment? Thanks, better wrap this up or I'll lose it. - John
 
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your chain isnt out of alingment.a y block chain doesnt line up like others.a slack chain doesnt affect the way a motor runs.
 
If you're going to replace the timing set, better get a manual that shows proper installation. Also, x2 on a stretched chain affecting performance.
 
Thanks guys. As I mentioned I'm learning a lot, but obviously have a ways to go. I've always loved Ford trucks since riding in my grandfather's truck, but I foolishly ignored my father's attempts to teach me about engines as a kid and now in my 50s I am way behind the learning curve. I learn a lot watching Ralph, but sometimes I want to give him a break and get a lesson from you all. I'll try to find the specs for the proper chain alignment as I wait for the new chain to be shipped. Maybe I'll show up at his garage knowing something new. Thanks
 
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Best found in an OEM Shop Manual for the year (assuming the engine is correct for the year of chassis)-

Lot of info at the Y-BLOCK site.
 

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The first time I read that (61 Unibody 1/2 ton) I thought I had gotten a book printed in China with interpretation errors. Y-block site confirmed someone at Ford had discovered LSD long before the hippies did!
 
The proper way to instal the timing chain is to sit on a stool with your face at the level of the front of the motor with plenty of light to see the subject. Both gears go on with the dot pointed at three o'clock, 12 chain pins between. While the top gear is off, I like to remove the retainer and grind a 1/16 groove from the center to the bottom to get a bit extra oil on the chain.
 
Wtih crank and cam sprocket dots rotated to the 12 o'clock position, (looking at the front of the motor facing aft) there must be 12 chain pins between the dots. The pins appear as rivet heads that protrude from the link. Note, do not count 12 links; 12 pins. Each link has 2 pins, so there should be 12 pins between the dots.
VR, Motorhead.
 
Y - Blockhead, I will take your 312th post to tell you every time I see your rockers my mouth waters. Is it in a car yet? Do you have any times slips or dyno numbers?
 
Ole Don said:
Y - Blockhead, I will take your 312th post to tell you every time I see your rockers my mouth waters. Is it in a car yet? Do you have any times slips or dyno numbers?
Click to expand...

Hey, that's a good one. Didn't notice the 312th. Thanks for pointing that out.

Don, yes it's in the car. No time slips or dyno numbers. Still working on the rest of the car. Got put on hold when MY pump backfired... :eek:

Slowly starting to work on it again.

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I understand that part, I have three sents in my main pump too. It look wonderful in the car. Good luck to you this summer.
 
My bad. I should have said 3 0'clock, then count the pins. For some reason, the Ole Don post was not up when I sent that error. Sorry for the confusion.
VR, Motorhead
 
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