Lugging along...transmission or?

[gadget73]

Have you ever put a timing light on it and watched? If the timing mark dances around, methinks your problem is going to be the timing chain. Mostly after 1986, the dumb design went away but it did occasionally show up at least through 1988. I think the 87 that Scott maintains had a single row chain in it. Rocking the crank back and forth while watching the distributor is another cheater check for the chain. If the crank moves noticeably before the distributor follows, thats not a good sign.

[LithiumCobalt]

Drat. I just can't believe the chain would be that bad with such low mileage. I will try your distributor/crank trick and see what pans out. I am guessing I need to release the belts so that I can get the crank free to turn? I'll throw a timing light on it, too, to see if I notice any jumping. I am almost ready to sell this damn thing. Thank you for the help on this Thain. Wish you guys were closer and could come dick around with this thing. I will report back.

[gadget73]

I've seen them so bad at 85k that the engine would barely run. The single row jobs used plastic on the cam gear, and it cracked and fell apart after a while. Its more an age thing than a mileage thing. Very stupid design though. The double roller chain is worlds better.

[LithiumCobalt]

I had no idea they were still using those stupid ass nylon coated sprockets until this time. That was a defect starting with MEL engines. I tore down my 67's block and did this job. Although no double roller was available, you could get all steel gears with none of that nylon nonsense. Guessing there would be no reason not to replace both the cam and crank sprockets while I am in there? Would a high volume oil pump do this lopo any good?

[sxcpotatoes]

I had no idea they were still using those stupid ass nylon coated sprockets until this time. That was a defect starting with MEL engines. I tore down my 67's block and did this job. Although no double roller was available, you could get all steel gears with none of that nylon nonsense. Guessing there would be no reason not to replace both the cam and crank sprockets while I am in there? Would a high volume oil pump do this lopo any good?

ASS-NYLON IS THE WORST!

Sent from my XT557 using Tapatalk 2

[gadget73]

You'd replace the gears as a timing set, which comes with the chain and both gears. Most things from 86 onward used double roller, but I think they randomly ran out of the good parts and put the shitter chains in. I know I've seen an 88 with a blown engine from that. Most things from 85 and before had those things too. It may not be your problem at all, its just a possibility that I mention just in case. Hopefully you find absolutely nothing with the timing light and rocking the crank.

For some reason, when you ask for a timing chain for these, most of the time they come out with a single roller chain with steel gears. If you ask for one for a Mustang, you get the double roller. If you do have to do the chain, just make sure you have a gander at it first so you don't end up with another crappy chain. The double rollers last a very long time. I replaced one at 225k in the Mark VII and it really wasn't that bad. I needed to do the water pump and balancer anyway, and I figured I was that far into it that I may as well.

No point in an HV pump unless the engine is modified to allow for increased oil return. Sometimes people use that as a patch for a really sloppy motor, but its not a really good one, and its totally not needed unless the motor is shot anyway. Changing pumps in these is a pain in the ass with the engine in anyway. The pumps rarely go bad, so honestly unless you've got some solid reason to fool with it, I'd let it be.

[LithiumCobalt]

Any particular brand preferred on the chain/gears? Both Cloyes and Sealed Power seem like reputable brands? I am guessing the new gears have index marks to make the job an easy swap?

[gadget73]

I'd be OK with either. I think I've got Cloyes on the Mark VII, not sure if its Cloyes or Sealed Power on the Towncar. The ones I have at least had dots to line up. Dot to dot, and away you go. Just make sure its really dot to dot. I put one in a tooth off. It ran, but it turned an HO into a fuel pig that made no more power than a lopo.


oh, and loctite on the cam bolt too. Did that once too. You can get away with the chain falling off if you have pistons with valve reliefs, but it will not end well in a lopo with those pistons.