I have about 1/2" slop on both sides of the timing chain on my 66 so according to the manual I should replace chain and gears - how hard is this, it doesn't seem that hard (get around to TDC, take off and replace or am I missing something)?

 

Unless you are going to degree your cam you are correct. Replace it while you have it apart. Line up the marks and you're good to go.
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thanks Valley, we are trying to keep things relatively simple so I think I am going to give it a shot - I had read the article in the FAQ before and it seems easy (but things usually do until you are elbow deep )

 

Easy to swap. Unbolt the fuel pump ecentric from the cam and slide the top and bottom gears off together with the chain. Line up the marks on the gears before removing and then assemble the gears and chain with the marks lined up and slide the whole thing on together as a unit. Don't forget to replace the oil slinger on the crank before reassembly. Keep in mind that while one side of the chain will be taught, the other will have a little slack.
Good luck

 

**** factor,,,, reminds me of Austin Powers....

Another little tip that might help,,,,

On our 351 assembly, the bottom timing gear was really tight on the crankshaft. I did not want to drive it on because it would have taken a lot of driving, and I did not have the right tool. (I could have made a tool out of some pipe from Home Depot, but I was being lazy)

I put it in the oven a 500 degrees for about 15 minuites, that puppy slipped right on. If you use this method, you only have one chance to get it right, before it sticks tight.

This might save you some headache getting that gear on,because there is not alot of room to drive it on with the engine in the car.

 

thank ya JMD. I have the engine out but heating it up a bit might make it real easy

 

Coda, I assume by oil slinger you mean oil pump - I picked up a high volume pump with a new pickup today (to go with the Edelbrock timing chain set)

If I am going with an electric fuel pump, do I need to put the fuel centric piece back on?

 

No, but make sure that the dowell pin in the camhaft does not keep the cam gear retention bolt / washer from bottoming on the gear, in other words, you might need to grind a little bit of the dowel pin off.

 

You might wnat to leave the fuel pump cam on the front timing gear. It doesn't hurt anything and it leaves future options open.
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I'm wondering is the timing chain the thing that looks like a bike chain?