Small Block Chevy - How to Replace a Timing Chain

replacing the timing chain on my 327 small block. This is identical for all small block chevys.

[@gregbaker5707]

Thanks a bunch this helped me today. To all the people saying to bake it. It took me 35 seconds with a 32 ounce hammer to install the crank sprocket

[@calebroark3998]

Way to do it the wrong way then!

[@chazlacoste7572]

Always make sure that your two dots on each sprocket are lined up together first before you pull the old set off! You can bump your starter as much as needed to get them lined up or just put the harmonic balancer bolt back in on turn it with a socket until you have the #1 piston at TDC (Top Dead Center). You can also check your rotor and make sure that it is pointed at the #1 plug and those two dots are aligned before you remove the old one then don't turn the engine at all and then you are safe to install the new one! Lol. But great vid, Ty so much!

[@racer67]

Your sapose to loosen the front oil pan bolts and use screwdrivers to pry open a bit of room to get the timeing cover off and back on! Its been done that way since the 60's...

[@chazlacoste7572]

Yup, Going to try that on my install! That is what I am hearing makes everything come off and go back on much simpler! But I can only get to 3 oil pan bolts on each side of my 88 Chevy 1500 350 motor so I hope it's enough! They say you only need 1/16th of an inch to make life much easier. Lol. Anyway, Wish me luck all! Thanks and great vid btw, Very helpful!

[@CommanderKlag]

You should have showed the install of the crank gear. You talked about it, but why did you not show the install ? People need to see it, thats what youtube does best. But thanks for trying to explain somthing thats very important even though you did it without showing it for some reason.

[@bradt9350]

Commander Klag He Did Better than just showing putting on the gear... He explained to you, how he used a socket big enough for the crankshaft AND the woodruff key to fit inside of the socket. Use your imagination and Maybe tap it lightly onto the crankshaft with a small hammer..... He explained how he backed up the crank too, as to not smash the thrust bearing. Maybe.. Look up Thrust bearing on KZbin and then... google HOW TO SPELL "SOMETHING" you need more help than you are going to find on youtube. Take it to a shop.

[@2525miche]

Just before reinstalling the timing cover, did you place the black rubber tab at the bottom of the cover?

[@iowadiy6361]

The seal for the oil pan? The oil pan ended up coming off after the timing chain install so it was not an issue for me

[@HeyLanny]

You did a good job pointing out a couple of very important things on a Small Block Chevy engine. While searching the Internet looking at Photos and watching a few other Videos they fail to make you aware that that dowel pin when facing it on a small Block Chevy will be on the right side. If you line the dots up with timing at 6:30 and Crankshaft gear at 12:00 with the dowel pin on the left you will be 180 degrees out. I bring this to your attention because I came across drawings and a couple videos showing the dowel pin on the left and people in forums asking about installation problems. LEFT is WRONG if dowel is on the left. Good Video Thanks.

[@iowadiy6361]

Glad it helped you out!

[@dakotakendig7824]

Just have to say i love your intro music❤️

[@michaelmorrison1470]

I took off the timing chain of my chevy 305 it was broke how do I reset the timing

[@iowadiy6361]

You need to set the mark on the crank and cam sprockets pointed to each other

[@christophermackey6312]

It’s easier to put the crank gear in the oven at 350 to 400 degrees for 10 minutes then it should just slide right on to the shaft. Use welding gloves to install and hold in place for a few seconds. It will shrink around the crank shaft.

[@iowadiy6361]

I’ve heard that some people do it that way. I’ve never done it myself but I’ll have to try it out

[@christophermackey6312]

And possibly waste a bearing, no thanks.

[@johnlaws9230]

Christopher Mackey it's actually easier to borrow the crank gear installation tool from your local parts store. It takes a idiot to beat it on hot or cold.

[@bradt9350]

​@@thereareonly2genders504 Or... run a longer bolt through that same socket and snug it up, to drive the gear onto the crankshaft Maybe a 3/4 " drive socket.. then no pounding in baking it in the oven,, What ever works.

[@bradt9350]

Or... run a longer bolt through that same socket and snug it up, to drive the gear onto the crankshaft Maybe a 3/4 " drive socket.. then no pounding in baking it in the oven,, What ever works.

[@richardlsmith9057]

At how many km should a GM 350 timing chain be replaced ?

[@iowadiy6361]

I’d say about 100,000 miles, but that that point an engine should probably be honed and re-ringed too.

[@TateReggie]

Thanks!

[@floridamanfishing1390]

Hey man great video i am doing this l Exact ssme thing right now on my Chevy Camaro it a 85 wiith a 305 and my issue is I cannot line up the bolt holes at all

[@thisisyourcaptainspeaking2259]

Old chain looked okay to me, new one will be about like that in short time. If turning crank more than 5 degrees doesn't move distributor shaft, the chain is too loose.

[@iowadiy6361]

I agree that it wasn’t that bad, but I did have the engine conveniently out and also measured at 8 degrees movement

[@thisisyourcaptainspeaking2259]

@@iowadiy6361 I shoulda said, nothing wrong with installing a new timing set, if that's what you wanted. Maybe you remember the plastic cam gear they used to have, those got pretty lose just before the teeth fell off into the pan but still ran fine till the cam stopped rotating. About the only way to know for sure is look at it or assume since it made it past 100,000 miles someone must've changed it. I'm just sayin' may as well change it while in there, peace of mind trumps being stuck on the highway in the middle of nowhere. Good job!

[@paquesepas6696]

@@thisisyourcaptainspeaking2259 I have a 1965 Chevelle small block i just took down and the chain had a bit of slack. What is Normal for slack on these old small blocks? I want to replace it because it's not tight like this video shows in the end.

[@thisisyourcaptainspeaking2259]

@Johnny 24 I suggest if you can turn the crankshaft nearly 5 degrees without budging the camshaft, the timing set should be replaced. Personally, I prefer the original style linkbelt chain as opposed to a roller chain, both sprockets and chain should be replaced as a set due to wear. FWIW, I'm not a fan of the factory style nylon cam gear, I doubt yours has this but I know as early as '69 they did. I prefer the iron camshaft gear and I run a magnetic drain plug b/c you will see some "afro" grow on the magnet the 1st few oil changes as the cam gear is breaking in. Some people prefer the nylon style cam gear for this reason but nylon gears are only good for about 80K miles before they begin cracking and coming apart. A used chain will have some slack normally, they do stretch and the sharp edges of the sprockets will wear off rather quickly as the new timing set is broken in. I've never seen a used chain that didn't have at least some slack, and I've seen them so loose the chain rubs on the timing cover or in the case of a tensioner rail, slaps on the rail. Nylon camshaft gears are IMO, not durable enough unless you plan on an 80K mile replacement. If you're already into it, now's a good time to replace with a TRW(or equiv.) linkbelt OEM style setup.

[@paquesepas6696]

@@thisisyourcaptainspeaking2259 thanks a lot for the all the info

[@Drakedrakonis02]

Any suggestions for a stuck crank sprocket? I have a 3 jaw on mine and its fully tight and I can't get it to budge

[@iowadiy6361]

Maybe hit the gear with a butane torch with the puller on it. Heat up the gear, not the crank and it should pop free

[@jeffoxendine962]

Hey man Wat's the name of that tool you used to pull the bottom gear off with I'm charging my timing chain on my chevy k1500 350

[@iowadiy6361]

I used a small gear puller on mine

[@harryjones2420]

Did you replace the bottom rubber gasket, could you have heated the crank gear so it would just slide on?

[@iowadiy6361]

Some people do it that way with good success. But if you don’t get it all the way before it’s cold then you have to pound it on or pull it back off again

[@harryjones2420]

@@iowadiy6361 if it is partially on, can't heat the sprocket with a propane torch

[@iowadiy6361]

You could.. but that could easily isolate too much heat and deform the gear. The oven or a bearing heater will more uniformly and safely heat it

[@ericvermillion6794]

Red lock tight👀😅

[@jessesyfie7244]

I replace the factory grade 5 bolts with grade 8 and torque to 24ft lbs. and use medium strength removable thread locker. 24ft lbs is what a grade 8 5/16 course thread is spose to be torqued too. If your going 25ft lbs on grade 5 bolts u might over stretch them and break off, think its 19ft lbs on a 5 bolt.

[@splash5974]

I dont think you needed to replace it. Thats a double roller timing chain. Which means it was already changed. Plus, the slack in that chain is fine. Most of the ones i have replaced on stock motors, are a single row of teeth on the sprockets... I guess it doesnt hurt to change it, but i think you were ok with the setup that was already there. Good vid though!

[@iowadiy6361]

No, I think it was ok too, but since I had the engine out and had easy access I thought I might as well do it. Some timing chains are waaaay worse and the engine still runs good

[@splash5974]

@@iowadiy6361 Exactly. No better time to do one!

[@splash5974]

@RED RUM Haha Fresh off the boat?? Im guessing you must hear that alot... If you think thats alot of slop, you are at best a hobbyist, or just your common KZbinr. Try and put some money away, go to a tech school or college to learn about the automotive trade, then come back and make a comment that doesnt make you sound stupid! Run along... 😂🤣

[@jjmccloud]

@Emerald lx SMH......

[@paquesepas6696]

How much slack is Normal on the chain?

[@jonny5ive167]

None is best. If you have seen a new one installed, it should have zero slack. I'm replacing mine because you can push it inward about 1/4 of an inch. It's looser than truck stop suzy.

[@paquesepas6696]

@@jonny5ive167 ok thanks big help yeah mine has a 1/4 inch as well. Any recommendations on cleaning the rust inside where the freeze plugs go? I took off the motor to do a thorough clean and I have a lot of sludge and rust.

[@iowadiy6361]

I suggest the round brush with the metal wire base and then you can bend it around wherever to need to get at inside there... hope that makes sense

[@paquesepas6696]

@@iowadiy6361 yes it does thanks

[@harryjones2420]

can I do this while engine is in my chevy truck? Do I need to pull the engine so I can lower the oil pan

[@iowadiy6361]

You don’t need to pull the engine, but you’ll probably need to remove the engine. I did it in my 72 Chevy with the engine still in the truck. It’s not the easiest, but it’s possible

[@harryjones2420]

@@iowadiy6361 I don't need to pull the engine, but I need to pull the engine?

[@iowadiy6361]

Ha, sorry. You’ll need to pull the radiator! Brain farted there

[@harryjones2420]

@@iowadiy6361 an easy part. Then lots of room

[@scottbox1342]

How did you turn your crank to get the gears to line up? I have seen a video with someone using the pulley bolt and then wrenching it until it moves but Im afraid the screw would break

[@iowadiy6361]

The pulley bolt will work to turn it over. Otherwise you can use a pry bar on the flywheel teeth but just be careful not to damage the teeth

[@jjmccloud]

@@racer67 ?????? That sounds like something you totally fabricated in your head, instead of ever actually holding a wrench! There's no tool to line them up, lmfao each gear has a dot and you simply make sure they are pointed to each other after u have the chain on, I'd like to see a link to this so called tool that you use on a Gen 1 Sbc

[@iowadiy6361]

I think that he was talking about the camshaft installation tool. Not really necessary for a camshaft install but helps if you do it a lot. Also, not needed for the cam gear alignment

[@racer67]

@@jjmccloud its a camshaft degree wheel u dipshit not all timeing chain gears have dots!

[@TheBuelliganRides]

slide the harmonic balancer on temporarily and turn it with the balancer.

[@jamesbcollins1114]

Tks helpfulguide

[@tonyg2859]

Why pull the crank gear off, to inspect it?

[@iowadiy6361]

With the new timing set there’s a new crank gear. If the new and old were from different manufacturers there could be slight differences to make the new chain wear out faster. It’s most likely okay, but just more of a safety precaution

[@tonyg2859]

Thank you. I realized later on the sprockets and chain come as a kit. Think I'll try the oven bake method to install the crank sprocket.

[@iowadiy6361]

Let me know how easy that is. I’ve never tried it like that yet

[@thisisyourcaptainspeaking2259]

Replace all 3 pieces, they are all worn and precision machined to work as a set. Avoid mixing and matching, this may lead to problems.

[@cantbreathe3329]

This is the same block that I have, where is the bolt that holds the fuel pump push rod located at? I've looked all over for it and can't locate it anyplace.

[@iowadiy6361]

The bolt that holds the fuel pump push rod? I’m not sure what you’re asking here

[@cantbreathe3329]

@@iowadiy6361 thank you, I believe that I already figured it out.

[@iowadiy6361]

Sounds good, good luck with it

[@thisisyourcaptainspeaking2259]

Some have a bolt hole, some don't. If you don't have a hole use vaseline (not grease) to hold the rod in place if you need. Grease will clog your oil filter and doesn't dissolve into motor oil very well.

[@rothajuion4201]

Oil the chain for pre stretch??

[@iowadiy6361]

It’s not a bad idea to soak the chain to prevent initial startup wear, but I haven’t heard it preached like some of the others. The only times I’ve changed a timing chain I also was priming the oil system before I started it so there was at least some oil getting up to the chain there

[@thisisyourcaptainspeaking2259]

Yes, it's a good idea to soak the chain in clean engine oil to avoid possibility of damaged from being too dry. I usually just give them a 10min bath but longer is better. This doesn't prestretch the chain, they're already pre-stretched during manufacturing.