Projectquick

Well I'm pulling my engine out of my 89 and swapping it into my 86 but I decided to freshen up the ol 302 while its going to be out. On the list is a new water pump, removal of the smog pump and a/c compressor, new timing set, and new gaskets all around. I have some questions about the timing chain though. The drivers side of the chain is tight and there is maybe an 1/8-1/4 inch of play, but the passenger side has about a 1/2 inch of play. A friend was saying there should be a tension side and a slack side but I've never heard of that so I was wondering about that.

I was looking at this for a timing chain and gear set. Timing set
This for a new water pump. Water pump
This for a gasket set. Gasket set

FivePointOhh

i dont have any slack on either side of mine. its hard to get a new timing chain on because it'll be so tight.

old:



new:

Projectquick

So I guess it's just from the chain being stretched? The gears and the teeth on them look fine. I've done most of this stuff before with my father and uncles but I've never flown solo and done it so thats why I ask.

FivePointOhh

with a new chain there should be slim to none, play in the chain. get a new one.

Projectquick

The stuff I picked out should work fine right?

1ATony

I'd definatly put a new chain set in there while it's all torn down. Just be careful of the waterpump gasket and put the correct one on if it comes with two (they're very similar). I put the wrong one on fixing my pump and it was like Niagra Falls.

ibayter

I am doing mine too, and it looks like you do not have it right on the TDC, just make sure the upper and lower dot are in 12 o'clock position then you will get both side the same play. well that was happened to mine.