How Can I Test If My Timing Chain Is A Tooth Off?

Is there a way for me to easily tell if my timing chain is a tooth off without pulling the cover?

I read about a way you can test a 289 by verifying TDC when the #6 intake and exhuast rocker arms are at equal heights during their overlap.

Is there something similar for the 5.0 HO?

Thanks,
Jason

Mr. Rustypwnz said:

I doubt it would run at all with a tooth off, or it would probably bend some pushrods.

I would just pull it off, it only takes an hour.

Why do you think its a tooth off?

Click to expand...

Hey Rusty,

It's a new build, and although I can get it started, it runs really bad. I'm basically just trying to cover all my bases.

I had someone tell me that sometimes when you line up the timing marks on the cam and crank gears, you are supposed to turn the engine over twice to recheck the marks. Slack in the chain can cause it to be a tooth off when the marks come back around.

The reason I don't want to pull the cover is because I don't want to ruin the oil pan gasket. I put some rtv between the gasket and the lower timing cover and REALLY don't want to pull the engine out again to replace the oil pan gasket yet again.