Timing chain "slop"?

The best way to check timing chain and or gear wear is to rotate the engine counter clockwise until the timing marks are visible at the timing pointer. Note the degrees at the pointer. With the distributor cap off, rotate the engine clockwise while watching the rotor. As soon as the rotor starts to move, stop. Read the timing degrees. There should be no more than six degrees difference between the two readings, with six degrees being the maximum amount. Remember that if the difference is six degrees the chain/gears are ready to be replaced.
 
Ford blue blood said:
Run the RPM up to 2500 and look at the timing marks with a timing light, sloppy chains will give a timing mark that jumps around.

Second check is to pull the cap off the distributor, rotate the engine by hand while watching the rotor, reverse direction of rotation. If it takes a few degrees of rotation for the rotor to move the chain is a little sloppy.
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This is the way I have always checked them too. Some new ones will still have a couple degrees of slop, probably depends if it was line bored I guess. It's pretty normal to see5-6 degrees on a mid time engine. Any more than that it's time to change. I've seen them still running with 22 degrees.
I installed my last FE timing chain in a motel parking lot.
I also agree that you need to nail down the timing advance and know what you have. Base timing don't mean squat if the mechanical and vacuum advance aren't functioning properly.
 
rnch said:
.....
I did a compression check on the car a year ago, variances within tolerance.

Whatever the culprit is, it's getting worse. In less than 300 miles it's progressed from a slight hesitation that only I (no passengers) could feel to a problem so bad the car's become unsafe/untrustworthy for anyone except me to drive in traffic.
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Do a compression check again, just in case.
Have you tried any of the suggestions / tests noted above? It's time to rule some things in or out instead of continuing to guess... and you might discover your answer.

.
 
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This afternoon I will do some remedial fine tuning and finessing and doing some of the checks you guys have suggested.
 
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