I have a 79 truck which I purchased last fall. It has a non-original 440 and an aluminum rad. I want to do a little engine tuning but here's the situation. As you stand facing the front of the truck the upper rad hose is on the right and the lower one is on the left. This blocks access to the timing marks. Upper right/lower left seems like a small block set-up to me. My 440 Charger has an upper left/lower right configuration. What is the correct configuration for these trucks? Is this the wrong rad set-up? I think I'll have to swap out the rad in order to be able to set the timing.

 

Anybody? Someone must know something.

 

It's been several years since I worked on a big block. If the lower hose connection on the water pump is towards the passenger side of the engine, as you face it, that's what you need on your radiator. The upper can go either way but usually is on the opposite side of the engine since the mid 50's. Timing marks are always buried but you should be able to see them. You just have to move the light around a bit. I always mark the timing mark with some soap stone or white paint pen. These engine are my favorite to work on as they are some simple. Unless you're replacing the timing chain, you don't have to pull the radiator. All you do is loosen the hold down bolt a little and twist the distributor. Since it's on the front of the engine, it's easy too.

Now, it's possible there really is something messed up. Take some pictures and post them. You can probably replace the timing chain with the radiator in, but I usually pull them to keep from poking a hole in them.

 

I’m not dealing with the timing chain at all and I know about twisting the distributor. Good tip on whitening the timing marks. I have moved the light around but hose is truly blocking access to the marks. I’ll get back at it in a week or two. I’ll check the water pump for starters.

 

Most of them are on the right(drivers side) but there where some with passenger side inlet. Since yous is unknown and put together by someone else you could change it but then you need to get another radiator or do some creative hose work.
http://www.440source.com/wpumphousings.htm

 

I’m in the US right now and won’t be home for another week and half. But this stuff goes through my mind and then I have to ask even though I can’t do anything about it right now. I’ll get on this when I get home and give you an update. I suppose I could just rotate the dizzy a bit each way and tune it by ear as some people do but I’m sure I’m good enough with engines to pull that off successfully.

 

To refresh my memory, I attended The U of Y (University of Youtube). The two videos I found were like I remembered everything being. You look down towards the marks from in front of the distributor. Perhaps your engine was done differently. I'd be interested to see some photos of your engine bay.

 

You are right, that’s where the marks are. With the rad hose being where it is I cannot see all of the marks, just the left side of them. I can get the light into a position that it will light them up but I cannot get a visual on the 0 mark. The hose blocks my line of sight.

 

Might disconnect the fan belt so you can get in there for a better look. You can use a zip tie or bungee cord to compress/move the hose.

 

The passenger side water intakes were always a PITA.
This radiator was out of my '74 Trailduster 440 if it helps. Still in the shed lol.....