Timing Chain Kit with Water Pump?

[Heuster]

I've been through the forums and found plenty of info. I just wanted to get your take on doing the timing chain with the water pump. I have 160k on my 97 5.0. I had to replace the thermostat housing because it was all rusted and falling apart. I decided to replace the water pump since I know it's been at least 100K since it was done. The timing chain has never been done but I have come across some horror stories on doing the timing chain.

My jobs always get more complicated than they should be (one of these days I'll have some luck with my X) With where the miles are and what you know so far...do you think I should just do the timing chain kit? What are my chances or escaping unscathed? It was in Boston, MA through about 75k and then came to AZ. I'm just hoping that my WP bolts aren't rusted so the timing chain cover or something.

I don't need another headache...but I can't afford to pay someone else to do the work either.

 

[Heuster]

*bump*

Anyone with any ideas on this?

 

[bigredscowboy]

If you are scared about rust you could prepare days in advance with copious amounts of PB blaster.

I'm buttoning everything up after a timing chain extravaganza. Fortunately, its not my main vehicle and I've been able to ask questions and get good advice rather than rushing to throw everything back together. If I had been in a hurry I think I would have left out the oil drive and destroyed the engine or something else. Instead, I used the forum and so far everything has turned out decently enough. The nice thing is that you can just do the primary tensioners and guides without worrying about timing issues. If you are going to do it all take the motor out and its a great time to go through the whole thing so that it will last another 150K (its also a great time to paint!). At 160K its probably time to change a lot of parts which means to do it right, everything starts to add up. I scored a great deal on the truck bc the motor was dead but I've spent as much as I would if I had bought a good one. The difference is I know which parts have been replaced and by whom. The only other thing I have to do in the near future is check the suspension parts. The motor has almost all new gaskets and o-rings and will be painted up so I can easily spot any oil or coolant leaks.

 

[boominXplorer]

Most of the time when you change just a water pump on a 302 motor with higher mileage the timing cover starts to leak. It leaks between it and the block because 4 of the main bolts for the pump also hold the cover and once they loosen ad re-tighten the seal is never perfect again.

It will be a long weekend project but it can be done with basic tools other than the fan clutch wrench and balancer puller.

 

[Heuster]

Thanks guys for the response and encouragement I need to order the timing kit, but I think all things being equal...I'll go ahead and do it. I'll prep with some PB blaster throughout and it should be ok.

Am I going to need a gear puller for the two gears in there?

 

[windsors03cobra]

I had to do my timing cover gasket as it had been seeping for awhile, with 200k on the original pump I figured for $60 I better change out the fine functioning 200k mile pump. Took me about 6 hours and I always let RTV that comes in contact with oil dry up overnight. I gobbed up my oil pan/timing cover area up with black RTV real good.
Timing chain looked great for the miles as many do, cam in block timing chain failures are so uncommon these days, its too bad most engines have gone to OHC's with chains as those chains fail regularly.
The gears come off easily and are pretty reasonable to get. I would wait for a water pump failure to do anything. Normally they weep slowly giving plenty of notice that something is going on.

Had about a 1/2" deflection.