Hi everyone,
I have a 95 5.2l that evidently jumped a tooth with the timing set, problem I'm having (maybe it's no problem at all) is that I have fitted two new timing sets and both seem to have excessive slack between sprockets, I'm comparing it to the slack in the old set and it seems about the same and what I've read online is that a new set should be very tight and then loosen with wear. (First set is SA double roller from Rockauto, second set from the local parts store Cloyes single roller which I hear is the better brand). The slack between gear teeth is good so maybe that's all that really matters but to me it seems like with that amount of slack it could easily jump a tooth again. Appreciate any feedback before I throw this thing back together. Maybe I'll attach a video if I can't figure that out.

 

I installed the SA Gear double roller in my 96, and it was a LOT tighter than the 180K plus original..... There will be some slack in the chain, but, it should not be an excessive amount. (I think the spec is something like 7 degrees of crank rotation??)

 

Are your cam bearings getting worn? I've town some pretty high mile timing sets out that didn't seem like the slack was to bad. I put a Cloyes in my 96, it definitely wasn't tight fitting, but certainly acceptable for how they were, The old sets and new sets had to go on and off together there wasn't enough slack to slip one or the other off separately

 

Yeah I guess it wasn't too bad slack wise, I got everything buttoned up and it runs like ****. I thought maybe it was out 180 so I tried flipping the distributor and wouldn't start at all so I'm completely at a loss.

 

Reindex the distributor first. There is a procedure for that in the service manual. (I highly recommend having one, if you don't already)

 

I did, there's a detailed thread on here by carverman that I followed (no 1 TDC, line rotor up with Mark on housing...)

 

Bear in mind, #1 is at TDC twice for a full cycle. Once on compression, and once on Exhaust. Turn the engine to #1 TDC, verify the rotor is pointing the right direction, and both valves on number 1 are closed.