Timing chain replacement quesiton

[hinkv10]

I tore down my 87 V10 which has a 305 from 84. I have a couple oil leaks and figured I'd tackle them all at the same and install a new Edelbrock intake and SMI rebuilt Quadrajet. The gaskets are cheap on Rockauto so I decided to tackle everything in one shot.

Here is my question. I'm waiting for the oil pump to show up, everything else is here. I noticed the timing chain has way too much slack so a new one is going on.

1. Can I install the distributor without the oil pump installed? That way I can turn the crank and not loose timing.
2. Right now the top sprocket of the timing chain is pointing at 12 o'clock and the bottom sprocket is at 5 o'clock. The book says to turn the crank until the marks are pointing at each other which I guess is tdc for cylinder #6. Can I just remove the sprockets and install the new ones in the same position? Makes sense to me that I could.

Thanks

 

[MrMarty51]

It does`nt take that long to install a timing chain and cover,My personal feelings/experience is," MURPHYS LAW",so with that said,I would wait until the pump is in,turn the engine so the marks are in the 6-12 positions then install the new chain/sprocket set.
Just be sure to install the chain set and cover before installing the oilpan/gasket set.

 

[hinkv10]

Thanks, I just found out the oil pump should be here today and I just ordered it yesterday. Go Rockauto! Not such a big deal now. I'll install the oil pump tonight as well as the distributor. So kind of a moot point.

One new question.... How should I turn the engine with the front cover off. I don't have a tool to turn the flywheel. Should I just use a couple of washers and install the bolt for the balancer into the crank?

 

[MrMarty51]

Thanks, I just found out the oil pump should be here today and I just ordered it yesterday. Go Rockauto! Not such a big deal now. I'll install the oil pump tonight as well as the distributor. So kind of a moot point.

One new question.... How should I turn the engine with the front cover off. I don't have a tool to turn the flywheel. Should I just use a couple of washers and install the bolt for the balancer into the crank?

I`ll use a large channel lock pliers,wrap a rag around the cranking shaft end,one jaw against the balancer key to prevent slippeage and give it a turn.
the stack of spacers and front bolt works too,best if the sparking plugs is removed.

 

[philjafo]

A big screwdriver in the flywheel works for turning the motor too.

 

[smurph20]

hbot wire to the starter and use it to bump the flwheel areound with a battery

 

[towman]

take the spark plugs out will make the motor easier to turn over by hand