the oil pan is in rough shape. rusty and leaks a little so I bought a replacement, trans pan is next (w/drain).

I planned on doing the oil pump, pick up screen, rear main and oil pan at once, but I don't feel comfortable messing with the bearing caps so im just doing the pan and gasket I believe. As far as oil pressure goes, im good there, no issues. if it goes out later down the road ill deal with it then.

well, got the pulley off, went to remove the balancer and the Chrysler puller I rented is not the right one. back to AZ to get the bolt style.

just because I love pictures....

 

Got the balancer and cover off... replace or no? I do see some dry rot on the rubber. I think I might just replace it. its only $55.50 with online discount. I just don't like the 1 piece design for some reason.

 

forgot to post the video of my chain slack.... too much?

I read some more threads last night on chain replacement. I'm not sure if I even want to attempt it now... I know its "easy" as some say and i'm already there, but the easiest of things never go smoothly for me anymore for some reason.

 

Too much slack, time for a Cloyes Double Roller. I'd replace the balancer while you're at it, it looks rough.

 

I've got the .250 S.A. Double roller from advance auto sitting here, just unconfident at this point, or inexperienced which ever way you want look at it.

how easy does the crank and cam move while the chain is off? that is one of my worries.

 

Shouldn't be a problem. You can literally slide the old set off and slide the new set on, it will be tighter so it will take a little work but it's pretty simple.

 

So pretty much while the timing cover is off, im going to....

- spin the crank (or cam?) bolt till the dots line up (6 cam, 12 crank)
- jar the cam sprocket, unbolt it.
- slide the sprockets/chain off
- line up the new chain and sprockets while laying on the bench
- install.


if you have a easier/accurate way, please, feel free to post it. need a confidence booster here

 

That's it. Its incredibly easy. Just be careful. It won't be a problem.

 

Just don't turn anything after the set is off, put the new one on exactly the same as the old one comes off. nothing to worry about. Take picture and mark with a paint pen if you need to.

 

When I did mine, I turned the crank (with chain still on it, turning the cam at the same time) until the timing mark on the balancer lined up with the 0 mark on the block. Took the cover off, and the timing marks were out of line as were the key ways.

Studied it, read up on it, got more confused, and finally thought "well, if it ran before, as long as those key ways are there I can't really screw this up, can I?" I made sure NOTHING MOVED and got the new gears and chain lined up and bolted on and prayed.

Fired up just fine.

I honestly think that with the key ways on both the crank and the cam, the only way to mess it up is by turning one without turning the other.

So don't over think it, just be careful not to move anything and you'll be fine. After all, your existing chain is shot. You'll enjoy the improvement in your engine with a new chain.

(Although maybe I just got lucky?)