Water pump's bad, should I replace timing chain too?

Combat Jump · Post by **Combat Jump** » Fri Oct 23, 2009 12:58 am

Just bought this 1971 F250 Ranger XLT, 390 with auto trans. It starts fine, and drives 75 on the freeway, but seems to run a bit rougher than it should.

The water pump makes a clanking noise, and I can wiggle the fan blade pulley around an alarming amount (and yet it still runs).

Thanks to Kragen Auto Parts, I have a rebuilt water pump ready to go on for sixteen bucks (I love this truck!). I have no idea how old the timing set is, or if its even been replaced at all. My question for the group is: is it a good idea to replace the timing set while the water pump is off?

If so, is it possible to do this without disturbing any major timing alignment? I don't have a shop manual yet, but am am undeterred.

Thanks,

Kurt

71fordkid · Post by **71fordkid** » Fri Oct 23, 2009 1:32 am

These old motors are easy to do, and it probably wouldnt hurt.

There will be 2 dots on the timing gears. spin the motor over untill these line up (or close, you'll have to get it right on later).
Take the old set off, and line up the dots on the new gears. Put the chain on the gears (easyest to do outside the truck).
Hold the timing set like this, slip the gears on the cam and crank at the same time (it may be tight), and bolt it back together.
Done.

You dont have to pull the distributor IIRC, so you dont have to mess with CYL#1 TDC and distributor alignment. All you do is line the gears up and slip it on.

fordman · Post by **fordman** » Fri Oct 23, 2009 3:14 am

it would be easier to do it now than later. if you get the cover off and it looks good that doesnt mean you have to replace it. but atleast you would get a good look at it just in case. or you could pull the fuel pump and see if the chain has any slack in it. but you wouldnt be able to see much of the gears from the fuel pump hole.

fitzwell · Post by **fitzwell** » Fri Oct 23, 2009 2:01 pm

you're already in the neighborhood, change the chain & gears. Might as well do a fuel pump while you're in it.

ximy · Post by **ximy** » Fri Oct 23, 2009 4:46 pm

Water pumps on FE are easy to replace.. Don't bother with the timing chain if there are no leaks. Swap the pump and be on your way. FE's are stong old brute men motors, just keep running it until you are ready to rebuild the whole thing.

Combat Jump · Post by **Combat Jump** » Fri Oct 23, 2009 4:58 pm

Help! How do I remove the lower pulleys?

Got the water pump off. During the process, a power steering pressure hose split, and all the fluid drained out. Wasted trip to Kragen ("Yes we have it" - that's not it!). Deal with that later....

So, I bought a timing set and gaskets. Would like to install it while I have the pump off. Am stuck now, figuring out how to remove the lower pulleys.

ximy · Post by **ximy** » Fri Oct 23, 2009 5:19 pm

Oh-oh.. thre should be three bolts holding the pullies but, you might need a harmonic balancer puller.. to get the balancer off

Combat Jump · Post by **Combat Jump** » Fri Oct 23, 2009 5:25 pm

Found the three bolts - they are out.

The apparently hold the pulleys to the harmonic balancer.

Well, I've got a lot of tools. What's the idea? To hold the balencer in place while loosening the big bolt in the center?

ximy · Post by **ximy** » Fri Oct 23, 2009 5:43 pm

stick two bolts back into the balancer and hold it with a bar between the bolts when you turn the center bold.. try to use different longer bolts into the threads so you won't damage the original bolts

Combat Jump · Post by **Combat Jump** » Fri Oct 23, 2009 5:52 pm

thanks for the help, I've got it from here!

Combat Jump · Post by **Combat Jump** » Fri Oct 23, 2009 6:43 pm

Spoke too soon...

With the balancer off, there is some kind of metal sleeve surounding the balancer shaft. Its about 2" long. It does not appear that the timing chain cover will fit over this.

Any ideas?

ximy · Post by **ximy** » Fri Oct 23, 2009 6:51 pm

It's been a long time so I'm going by memory... there is a key way "key" in the crank snout that you "might"??? need to remove.... just tap it out... and there is a splash sleeve.. a flat"ish" washer like metal plate that should just wiggle off the crank snout ..

ximy · Post by **ximy** » Fri Oct 23, 2009 6:54 pm

Oh yeah, there is another metal sleeve about a 1/4 thick and 2-3 inches long over the snout... this should also just pull out... forgut about that .. whatever you do... don't bang on the crankshaft.. you could damage something.

Combat Jump · Post by **Combat Jump** » Fri Oct 23, 2009 7:21 pm

Thanks, got it. Took out the key and the sleeve pulled right off.

This is crazy - everything I touch breaks! First the power steering return hose, now the fuel pump nipple just popped off with the hose, and gas started pouring out.

Time for another trip to the part store.

fordman · Post by **fordman** » Fri Oct 23, 2009 7:42 pm

oh man. what a ordeal. it will stop sooner or later.

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Water pump's bad, should I replace timing chain too?

Water pump's bad, should I replace timing chain too?

Re: Water pump's bad, should I replace timing chain too?

Re: Water pump's bad, should I replace timing chain too?

Re: Water pump's bad, should I replace timing chain too?

Re: Water pump's bad, should I replace timing chain too?

Re: Water pump's bad, should I replace timing chain too?

Re: Water pump's bad, should I replace timing chain too?

Re: Water pump's bad, should I replace timing chain too?

Re: Water pump's bad, should I replace timing chain too?

Re: Water pump's bad, should I replace timing chain too?

Re: Water pump's bad, should I replace timing chain too?

Re: Water pump's bad, should I replace timing chain too?

Re: Water pump's bad, should I replace timing chain too?

Re: Water pump's bad, should I replace timing chain too?

Re: Water pump's bad, should I replace timing chain too?