How hard to replace Timing Chain & Gasket?

[FiveOhhStang]

How hard is it to Replace the timing chain & Gasket(leaking coolant). Also what will I have to rip off the car to do it, and how long would it take me(Im okay with mechanics but havnt done anything major. Also what kind of chain should I get or does it matter? Any write ups or tips? Also something about the Balancer..would it be wise to replace this? How easy?
-Nick

 

[331 cobra]

You have to remove the water pump, which means you have to drain the coolant and you may have to loosen the oil pan to get the timing cover free.

In my experience, the covers leak because the aluminum corrodes untill there is no sealing surface left. If it looks bad when it is removed, you have two options, replace it, or have it welded up. Welding isn't much cheaper than the new cover and if it gets warped, the welder isn't going to give your money back.

If it were me, I would grab my tools and head to the 3 local self serve wrecking yards and pull all of the 5.0 covers untill I find one that looks good. If you have time and local yards, that can save some money. Otherwise, ebay might be a good place to look.

You don't need to change the chain, but on an '89, it's probably a good idea. My personal favorite is the rollmaster double roller with billet cam gear and nine keyways. I bought one for about $100 a few years ago. I think FTI carries them. The machining quality is excelent, the chain is good and it went in with zero problems.

 

[5.0Droptop]

You take off all the stuff in the way pull the balancer, You can leave the waterpump on the cover if you want take out all the bolts and pull the cover, the timing chain is a breeze to change, I would get a good double roller one. Since your going to go that far in you may want to consider changing the cam out if you ever wanted to because its right there.

 

[Look Its Aaron]

uhm, someone correct me if i am wrong, but can't the water pump come off with the timing chain cover?

 

[331 cobra]

Oh, I forgot about the ballencer, but to change the cam, you also need to pull the radiator.

And, yes, the cover can come off with the pump attached, but it's better to change those gaskets while you are there, and inspect your pump to make sure it's OK.

 

[Look Its Aaron]

Well changing the cam isn't that hard, there is more involved then you guys are making it seem. Rip off the upper and lower intake, remove valve covers/rockers/lifters, and all the other goodies. Not hard, just time consuming.

The rule I have heard for a long time is: You can put new lifters on an old cam, but you shouldnt put old lifters on a new cam.

If you decide to change the cam, put new lifters on.

 

[5.0Droptop]

yes,you can leave the water pump intact. I have done it. Yes you need to remove rad to do cam, as well as the upper and lower intake to have someone hold the lifters up with something as you slide cam in unless you want to try those new magnetized lifter holder thingys...I have never used them but I hear they work well.

 

[Look Its Aaron]

 

[5.0Droptop]

I re used my roller lifters on my cam. On the old non roller lifters that was true you didnt want to reuse old lifters on the new cam because the are worn, Rollers dont really wear like that.

 

[5.0Droptop]

Yeah what Aaron said lol

 

[Look Its Aaron]

Yea that is true, but I figure lifters arn't that expensive so why not replace them.

If it was a flat tappet cam then, that would hold true, so I guess you are right foo.

 

[The Shape]

Where is your cover leaking? If it is gushing out the sides then yeah you gotta pull it all apart. However I had a problem with my car for about a year where coolant would pool up ontop of the timing cover in that little valley right beside the dizzy right behind the tall front "lip" of the timing cover. It didn't leak much just enough to always have coolant up there. Anyway I tore it all down and discovered it wasn't the gasket leaking it was actually like an extra bolt hole in the cover I suppose it is for some other 302's water pump configuration. Anyway the hole wasn't tapped all of the way through, but over the years I guess the coolant flowing into it had made it's self a little pin hole through the backside of the cover. Anyway long story short I already had it tron down so I replaced my chain and water pump and filled the little hole up with some liquid steel epoxy and it has never leaked again. I have since seen this same place leak on an '82 GT and an old comet. If this is where yours is leaking I would clean it up good and stick my finger down there and feel for a little hole. Could be you can fix it withou tearing anything down just by patching the cover. I wish I had noticed it before i tore mine down for no reason! Anyway I hope you understand where I am talking about mine was leaking I don't have a pic or anything of it.

 

[FiveOhhStang]

Its leaking from the bottom portion of the cover. So timing chain cover isnt that bad. What exactly do you tear off?

So the balancer is difficult? Cam? I just heard you need to tear off the balancer to get the timing chain off, so i figured id replace it, true? Is it wise to replace? How hard?

 

[The Shape]

Well just thought I would mention what happened to me just in case, but sounds like your is the gasket. The balancer isn't that bad you just need a puller you can rent one at the parts store. I didn't replace mine , but I don't guess it would be a bad idea if you have the extra cash.