Timing chain and water pump questions
I came on this board last week asking about help with a 460 leaking coolant. Got the help I needed and have just finished my repair. There seem to be several people asking about timing chains. Here's my first hand and very fresh news, being that I have just finished cleaning up.

WOW my 460 now runs like a rocket. I just can't help feeling like a kid. I mean I'm spinning the tires every time I leave a stop sign. This is an incredible difference. I bought my 77 150 off my dad about 10 years ago. It is bogged down with a 2.75 rear ratio. Always very very slow off the line, but would pull like a frieght train all the way to 90. Last weekend after a pressure wash, coolant was leaking from behind the timing case. Well if you have to go as far as a new timing cover you would be plain nuts not to change the water pump and the timing chain and gears. Several of the old pros on this page convinced me to go with pre 1971 gears. Thanks a million guys. Too bad I and Dad waited 27 years to do this simple change.

What I learned
The case is Aluminium and very prone to rotting. Therefore,do not change your gearset without buying a new cover.

Get some help to start the cover install. My son (20) was on top aligning the two 1/2 inch bolt holes with an awl, while I started the bolts while laying on the ground. Also very much needed my son's help to re-install the fuel pump. The preload on the pump arm will kill ya it you try it alone.

Don't even think of replacing the gears without putting on a new water pump. Why go through most of the pain again a year from now when a pump is about 25 bucks.

The plate behind the water pump is being held on only by the gasket tack used when the engine was assembled. Pry it off using a wide blade chizel. Clean the plate very well both sides. I used a propane torch to help remove the cruddy gasket. The timing cover/gasket/plate/gasket/pump all stack together like a club sandwich. Be careful to keep probing the holes with a pointy screwdriver to keep the gaskets lined up.

I also learned that there is a whole lot of stuff bolted to a 460 with A/C. Take some digital photos before you start so you can remember where everything goes.

And the biggest lesson was???? Was it worth about 15 hours of backyard work???? You bet I'm Very Very Happy with the new found power. I'm going to take it over today and let Dad go for a spin. Only hope the gas mileage goes up also. Then it should when I first drove it with no foot on the pedal it wanted to run at 32 miles an hour.

Thanks to all!!!!!


__________________
1977 Econoline 351W (bought new)
1977 F150 460 w/lariat interior
1962 Farilane 500 221 v8 auto
1962 Fairlane 170/6 winter beater