Newer to the forums and have been researching about changing my timing chain while im replacing the cover gasket....when i pulled the cover off the right side of the timing chain has about 1/4" to 1/2" of play is this normal or not? thanks for the help dj

 

i'd say its worn out and needs replacement.
a new one has almost zero play, and only costs about $40-50.
https://dodgeforum.com/m_735291/tm.htm

 

yea thaqts what i thaught....so i went ahead an replaced it all....anyone know where i can find a real good tutorial on setting the timing and all that jazz? also on my plenum im trying to remove parts of the gasket( around the wholes where the bolts go thru) i can not get this stuff off got the life of me? any ideas? maybe just gasket remover or something better out there? can i burn them off with a torch maybe?

thanks again dj

 

read the plenum repair diy in the diy forum (also linked at the top in the diy thread). I did a timing chain on my 360 a few years back and it was easy. line the timing marks up at 6 & 12, then swap the chain. IIRC your distributor should point at the #6 cylinder.

 

putty knife/window scraper/razor blade is best. scotch brite pad or steel wool is next best.

 

haha tried all those things for the gasket..... wish i could afford an upgrade plenum too bad im broke!! bah oh well thanks for the help guys

 

You can always try a wire wheel on a drill or dremel tool to remove old gasket material, just be sure you don't go hog-wild on it.

 

I didn't line up 6 & 12, I just slid it on the keys the same way it came off.

I wasn't looking for an upgrade in performance or anything, just wanted to swap the chain while I was down there.

Never did get a response saying that was a bad thing to do or not though.

 

yea i used a brass wire wheel on my drill ( not no steel one) worked good....and for replacing the timin chain and sprockets i just lined up the two dots on the old ones... cam sprocket dot pointing down...and crank sprocket dot pointing up... and slid the new stuff on...
i was so excited to fire it all up but that didnt happen right away... i got a used trans pan of ebay and tit was the wrong one..they listed it for my 46re but it was a lot more shallow...so i just jb welded mine for the time being...and with out any fluid in the trans i fire the truck up right quick and it was perfect..woo hoo no more plenum leak!!! or timing chain gasket leak!!!

so for a long post...but i just want to say i am very proud of myself... i am only 21 and the farthest if ever worked on a vehicle is chaning brakes oil t-stats belts and things alike... it took me two days to finish everything but it runs good...tomarrow will be the test drive to see if im getting any leaks.

Thanks for everyones help..this site is a gift from god!!

 

yeah, i'm 20 and this thing is like a bible to me lol.