2000StreetRod
Moderator Emeritus
- Joined
- May 26, 2009
- Messages
- 10,597
- Reaction score
- 334
- City, State
- Greenville, SC
- Year, Model & Trim Level
- 00 Sport FI, 03 Ltd V8
Chain mod may not be possible
I spoke with an automotive machinist today about the possibility of removing one link from my rear timing chain. He's been doing custom engine rebuilding for many years and was not at all encouraging. He said if it was a roller chain that I would have a much better chance than with the type of chain that Ford is using. The original chain was manufactured in Italy. The front and rear chains with sprockets are shown in the photo below. I compared the lengths of the two chains in hopes that the front was shorter but it is identical to the rear. If one link was removed it would only shorter the total length about 0.75 inches. I think it might fit without the traction side of the guide assembly and less lateral deflection on the slack side but I'm not going to remove a link to find out unless I can find some way to reliably attach the two ends.
On another subject, I am uncertain which way the jackshaft front camshaft chain sprocket should face. Does the smooth face of the sprocket face away (as shown in the photo) or toward the block? I haven't been able to find any photo of the jackshaft camshaft chain sprocket without the jackshaft primary chain sprocket in the way.
I spoke with an automotive machinist today about the possibility of removing one link from my rear timing chain. He's been doing custom engine rebuilding for many years and was not at all encouraging. He said if it was a roller chain that I would have a much better chance than with the type of chain that Ford is using. The original chain was manufactured in Italy. The front and rear chains with sprockets are shown in the photo below. I compared the lengths of the two chains in hopes that the front was shorter but it is identical to the rear. If one link was removed it would only shorter the total length about 0.75 inches. I think it might fit without the traction side of the guide assembly and less lateral deflection on the slack side but I'm not going to remove a link to find out unless I can find some way to reliably attach the two ends.
On another subject, I am uncertain which way the jackshaft front camshaft chain sprocket should face. Does the smooth face of the sprocket face away (as shown in the photo) or toward the block? I haven't been able to find any photo of the jackshaft camshaft chain sprocket without the jackshaft primary chain sprocket in the way.