The Ford Barn

John Burne · 02-23-2013, 11:34 AM

After delays due to the cold weather and garage furnace trouble, my friend Ralph and I are finally getting to work on my Y-block swap. Ralph wanted to put a new timing chain on the 1962 292 Y-block that is going to be dropped into my truck. We got into it yesterday and I'm learning a lot. I was really surprised to find the existing timing chain was quite loose or slack. Furthermore the dots were not even close to being aligned. I thought we had a pretty good history on the motor and there were reportedly low miles on it. Ralph had the motor in his F-100 last year and it ran smooth with good power and good oil pressure. How could a motor run so well with such a slack timing chain and out of alignment? Thanks, better wrap this up or I'll lose it. - John

darrell · 02-23-2013, 12:52 PM

your chain isnt out of alingment.a y block chain doesnt line up like others.a slack chain doesnt affect the way a motor runs.

KULTULZ · 02-23-2013, 02:00 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by darrell

a slack chain doesnt affect the way a motor runs.

A stretched timing chain (and resultant retarded timing) does not affect an engine's performance?

streetdreams · 02-23-2013, 03:45 PM

If you're going to replace the timing set, better get a manual that shows proper installation. Also, x2 on a stretched chain affecting performance.

John Burne · 02-23-2013, 04:02 PM

Thanks guys. As I mentioned I'm learning a lot, but obviously have a ways to go. I've always loved Ford trucks since riding in my grandfather's truck, but I foolishly ignored my father's attempts to teach me about engines as a kid and now in my 50s I am way behind the learning curve. I learn a lot watching Ralph, but sometimes I want to give him a break and get a lesson from you all. I'll try to find the specs for the proper chain alignment as I wait for the new chain to be shipped. Maybe I'll show up at his garage knowing something new. Thanks

KULTULZ · 02-23-2013, 04:38 PM

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Best found in an OEM Shop Manual for the year (assuming the engine is correct for the year of chassis)-

Lot of info at the Y-BLOCK site.

Ford blue blood · 02-23-2013, 05:37 PM

The first time I read that (61 Unibody 1/2 ton) I thought I had gotten a book printed in China with interpretation errors. Y-block site confirmed someone at Ford had discovered LSD long before the hippies did!

Ole Don · 02-23-2013, 06:52 PM

The proper way to instal the timing chain is to sit on a stool with your face at the level of the front of the motor with plenty of light to see the subject. Both gears go on with the dot pointed at three o'clock, 12 chain pins between. While the top gear is off, I like to remove the retainer and grind a 1/16 groove from the center to the bottom to get a bit extra oil on the chain.

Motorhead6 · 02-24-2013, 08:35 AM

Wtih crank and cam sprocket dots rotated to the 12 o'clock position, (looking at the front of the motor facing aft) there must be 12 chain pins between the dots. The pins appear as rivet heads that protrude from the link. Note, do not count 12 links; 12 pins. Each link has 2 pins, so there should be 12 pins between the dots.
VR, Motorhead.

Y-Blockhead · 02-24-2013, 10:31 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Motorhead6

Wtih crank and cam sprocket dots rotated to the 12 o'clock position

That's incorrect. The dots should be in the three o'clock position as Ole Don suggested and as shown in the picture KULTULZ provided.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Ole Don

Both gears go on with the dot pointed at three o'clock, 12 chain pins between.

Ole Don · 02-24-2013, 12:02 PM

Y - Blockhead, I will take your 312th post to tell you every time I see your rockers my mouth waters. Is it in a car yet? Do you have any times slips or dyno numbers?

Y-Blockhead · 02-24-2013, 02:02 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Ole Don

Y - Blockhead, I will take your 312th post to tell you every time I see your rockers my mouth waters. Is it in a car yet? Do you have any times slips or dyno numbers?

Hey, that's a good one. Didn't notice the 312th. Thanks for pointing that out.

Don, yes it's in the car. No time slips or dyno numbers. Still working on the rest of the car. Got put on hold when MY pump backfired...

Slowly starting to work on it again.

Ole Don · 02-24-2013, 05:03 PM

I understand that part, I have three sents in my main pump too. It look wonderful in the car. Good luck to you this summer.

Motorhead6 · 02-24-2013, 06:49 PM

My bad. I should have said 3 0'clock, then count the pins. For some reason, the Ole Don post was not up when I sent that error. Sorry for the confusion.
VR, Motorhead

02-23-2013, 11:34 AM	#1
John Burne Member Join Date: Oct 2012 Location: Maine Posts: 78	Timing Chain questions After delays due to the cold weather and garage furnace trouble, my friend Ralph and I are finally getting to work on my Y-block swap. Ralph wanted to put a new timing chain on the 1962 292 Y-block that is going to be dropped into my truck. We got into it yesterday and I'm learning a lot. I was really surprised to find the existing timing chain was quite loose or slack. Furthermore the dots were not even close to being aligned. I thought we had a pretty good history on the motor and there were reportedly low miles on it. Ralph had the motor in his F-100 last year and it ran smooth with good power and good oil pressure. How could a motor run so well with such a slack timing chain and out of alignment? Thanks, better wrap this up or I'll lose it. - John Last edited by John Burne; 02-23-2013 at 11:41 AM.

02-23-2013, 12:52 PM	#2
darrell Senior Member Join Date: Dec 2010 Location: p.e.i. Posts: 1,060	Re: Timing Chain questions your chain isnt out of alingment.a y block chain doesnt line up like others.a slack chain doesnt affect the way a motor runs.

02-23-2013, 03:45 PM	#4
streetdreams Senior Member Join Date: Dec 2010 Location: Howell, Michigan, USA, The Peoples Slightly Overspent Demodependancy of Michigan Posts: 638	Re: Timing Chain questions If you're going to replace the timing set, better get a manual that shows proper installation. Also, x2 on a stretched chain affecting performance.

02-23-2013, 04:02 PM	#5
John Burne Member Join Date: Oct 2012 Location: Maine Posts: 78	Re: Timing Chain questions Thanks guys. As I mentioned I'm learning a lot, but obviously have a ways to go. I've always loved Ford trucks since riding in my grandfather's truck, but I foolishly ignored my father's attempts to teach me about engines as a kid and now in my 50s I am way behind the learning curve. I learn a lot watching Ralph, but sometimes I want to give him a break and get a lesson from you all. I'll try to find the specs for the proper chain alignment as I wait for the new chain to be shipped. Maybe I'll show up at his garage knowing something new. Thanks Last edited by John Burne; 02-23-2013 at 04:09 PM.

02-23-2013, 05:37 PM	#7
Ford blue blood Senior Member Join Date: Jul 2011 Location: Birmingham, AL Posts: 815	Re: Timing Chain questions The first time I read that (61 Unibody 1/2 ton) I thought I had gotten a book printed in China with interpretation errors. Y-block site confirmed someone at Ford had discovered LSD long before the hippies did! __________________ Bill, certified Ford nut. 2016 F-150 2016 Focus 08 Shelby GT500 57 Ford Ranchero 36 Chevy, 351C/FMX, 8", Mustang II

02-23-2013, 06:52 PM	#8
Ole Don Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: St. Michael, Minnesota Posts: 1,713	Re: Timing Chain questions The proper way to instal the timing chain is to sit on a stool with your face at the level of the front of the motor with plenty of light to see the subject. Both gears go on with the dot pointed at three o'clock, 12 chain pins between. While the top gear is off, I like to remove the retainer and grind a 1/16 groove from the center to the bottom to get a bit extra oil on the chain.

02-24-2013, 08:35 AM	#9
Motorhead6 Senior Member Join Date: Jul 2012 Location: Orange Park, Fl Posts: 406	Re: Timing Chain questions Wtih crank and cam sprocket dots rotated to the 12 o'clock position, (looking at the front of the motor facing aft) there must be 12 chain pins between the dots. The pins appear as rivet heads that protrude from the link. Note, do not count 12 links; 12 pins. Each link has 2 pins, so there should be 12 pins between the dots. VR, Motorhead.

02-24-2013, 12:02 PM	#11
Ole Don Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: St. Michael, Minnesota Posts: 1,713	Re: Timing Chain questions Y - Blockhead, I will take your 312th post to tell you every time I see your rockers my mouth waters. Is it in a car yet? Do you have any times slips or dyno numbers?

02-24-2013, 05:03 PM	#13
Ole Don Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: St. Michael, Minnesota Posts: 1,713	Re: Timing Chain questions I understand that part, I have three sents in my main pump too. It look wonderful in the car. Good luck to you this summer.

02-24-2013, 06:49 PM	#14
Motorhead6 Senior Member Join Date: Jul 2012 Location: Orange Park, Fl Posts: 406	Re: Timing Chain questions My bad. I should have said 3 0'clock, then count the pins. For some reason, the Ole Don post was not up when I sent that error. Sorry for the confusion. VR, Motorhead