Timing Chain/Gear Replacement
Ref: Chilton's Auto Repair Manual 1964-1971
V8 Engine
V8 engines are equipped with a timing chain to connect the camshaft
and crankshaft timing gears. To replace the timing chain and/or timing
gears remove the radiator, water pump, harmonic balancer, and timing
cover. See Timing Gear Cover for procedure.
This will allow access to the timing chain and both gears. Crank, or
turn engine with a
crankshaft socket tool*, the engine until the zero
timing marks punched on both sprockets are closest to one another and
in line between the shaft centers. Be sure to remove the coil wire from
the distributor to prevent the engine from starting. To make cranking
the engine easier you may also wish to remove the spark plugs.
Remove the three bolts that hold the camshaft gear to the camshaft.
Unlike the L6 engine, the V8 camshaft gear is a light press fit and
should come off easily. The camshaft gear is aligned with a dowel on
the camshaft. The timing chain will come off with the camshaft gear.
If also replacing the crankshaft gear, a gear puller will be required. Without disturbing the position of the engine, mount the crankshaft gear on the crankshaft. There should be a keyway pin, known as a Woodruff Key to align the crankshaft gear correctly. Since the crankshaft gear is pressed on, you can either use a large socket from your socket set or a special crankshaft gear installation socket and large hammer to mount the crankshaft gear until it seats. Install the camshaft gear with the timing chain attached by a quick visual alignment of the timing marks and placing the chain over the crankshaft gear and finally over the dowel pin on the camshaft with the three camshaft bolts aligned. After the camshaft gear and timing chain are installed, rotate the engine two full revolutions to make certain the timing marks are still correctly aligned.
3-Jaw
Gear Puller
Crankshaft Socket
* SBC socket on the left, BBC socket on the right
