stretched timing chain?

I would be tuning it up. Cleaning the throtle plate, checking that it was all tight and not leaking air, cleaning the air passages (IAC, TPS and so forth) and checking for air leaks around the intake, checking the fuel pressure and cleaning/replacing the injectors before I start missing with the timing chain because if it needs replaced then there's a whole lot of other stuff that needs replaced too.

if it is stretched you can back off your rockers and try to turn the rotor in your distributor back and forth and look for side to side movement and watch your push rods for any up and down, a vacuum gauge will also tell you if you have a stretched chain if the readings are low and if you put a timing light and watch the timing marks and the mark doesnt hold steady and fluctuates that is also a sign of a stretched chain...im with 79 though, 1105 hours doesnt justify a stretched chain but you never know

GottaSki wrote: weitekampt wrote: stretched timing chain? Heared of them, but never seen one. Think its a urban myth.

Guys, My comment to Todd this weekend was just in discussion, we did nothing to diagnose his problem but I will explain where that thinking comes from. I had a 1982 MC with the 351 PCM years ago, we used to pull 3 footers easily at 40+ mph. As the boat got more hours on it 700+ it was no longer able to hold that speed.    We did everything we knew how tune up wise and we rebuilt the carb with no change.

I called PCM asking for help, the tech there insisted without a doubt that the motor needed a timing chain. We installed a new chain and the boat ran like new.

If it was mine and I ruled everything else out I would drop a $100 into it for a chain and gaskets and give it a try. We also determined that Todd has a little noise at the water pump so if it comes apart for that I'd go one step deeper and do the chain at the same time. Keep in mind he still has the protec ignition and that to me is really suspect.

Back in high school one of my buddy's rebuilt this wicked cool 67' Mustang, IIRC he used gears instead of a chain, it sounded like it had a Blower just nothing sticking out of the hood, man did that thing sound cool!

BTW Todd, good luck diagnosing your problem!

THanks for the update Alan. If I do yank that water pump, I will slap in a new chain. Simple stuff. I have a lot of wants, but not enough money to do it all. Electronic ignition first!!!