Timing chain (66' GT350)

[traxman]

Hi everybody

We are currently (still..., pandemic did not optimized our time) rebuilding my GT350 66' engine.

I have found most of the parts I need, especially the complete rebuilt kit for my gearbox.

However, I still need to find some parts, comprising the timing chain.

I don't now if it is better to change only the chain or also the gears...
Do you have any advicefor that?
Do you have a part to recommend?

Thanks for you help

Cheers

Anthony

[Greg]

inspect the gears for wear, cracks etc... if they aren't worn (which they probably aren't) reuse them.  I would however replace the chain.

[traxman]

The gears are in good conditions, so maybe it is better / sufficient to only change the chain.

Do you have any advice on the brand/model I should choose?

Thank you

[Greg]

Cloyes makes a great product IMO. 

[roddster]

  Do a search.  Back about last May or June I replaced mine and there are a couple of issues you will want to know about.  I believe it might have been in either the Concours section, or the Random section

[gt350hr]

    I have more than one "original" , NOS chains. "I" would use a "modern" Cloyes chain as they are superior. How to tell a "good" one? The  "modern" chain will "roll up" into a 4" or so circle whereas the originals will not. The originals "stretch" more quickly than the modern chains do. Some people want NOS only or I would have thrown the ones I have away. I will never use one.
   Randy

[traxman]

Thank you both for your help

Sorry, it is sometimes not very easy to follow with technical stuff for non native speakers ^^.

So if I follow correctly, I should prefer a Clayes C538 timing chain rather than an original one? Of course I fully understand that this kind of material has been strongly improved through time

[OldGuy]

The gears are in good conditions, so maybe it is better / sufficient to only change the chain.

Do you have any advice on the brand/model I should choose?

Thank you

If your cam sprocket is the nylon teeth/aluminum hub variety, REPLACE it with the cast iron type even if yours looks new. The nylon teeth are an accident waiting to happen.

Frank

[hertz350]

See this: http://www.saacforum.com/index.php?topic=12947.0

[gt350hr]

   Most everyone uses iron cam gears now . But reality is a nylon gear is good for 60,000 miles so if you have a "sunny day" car you will be fine. They only lose teeth after many heat cycles and the modern oils are easier on the nylon as well. I'm not promoting them just being truthful.

[traxman]

My mechanics (who has the engine for the moment) just confirm that the cam sprocket is a cast iron one, so it seems not necessary to change it.

But my questrion is: is the cast rion type a factory setting?
I suppose yes since it seems that my engine has never been opened before.


Just also a quick question: my rod bearings were Federal Mogul 3100 AP (3100 AP Fm written there), are they original?

[gt350hr]

   No , nylon was OEM and No on the bearings. Ford OEM was D.A.B. ( Michigan) and they ALL had Ford part numbers and dates on them. "Vendors" part numbers were NOT allowed on Ford parts.

[traxman]

Okay thank you Randy.

So it seems that my engine has been already rebuilt (but everything at the standard size).  Anyway, since it is open, we can do that again ^^. It has 70K miles.

So the Cloyes C358 should be the correct timing chain ?

edit : it seems that S406 is written of the cam gear, according to the eyes of my mechanics ^^

[gt350hr]

   Not uncommon to find a "ring and bearing" freshen. When I took apart the 6S240 engine for the first time , it got rings bearings and gaskets + a timing gear. Didn't "really" need it but I did it. That was at 60,000 miles.
   Randy