Questions and Answers
T-Bird Timing Chain
Q. My 1985 Ford T-Bird has a 302 engine P/S, P/W, P/B, automatic transmission and 138,000 miles. The timing was screwed up and we got it started. We took it for a test run and after three or four miles it just stopped. I tried to get number one cylinder top dead center and the engine turns over normal but there is no compression.
Could it be the timing chain or would there be another problem. I'm out of guesses and any help would be greatly appreciated.
Thank You,
RandyA. It could very well be the timing chain has broken or jumped if you have no compression in any cylinder. If you have no compression in only number one, then it's more than likely a valve problem.
What you need to do is get the zero mark on the pulley to line up with the pointer on the cover on the compression stroke. Then pop the valve cover off so you can see the rockers for number one, the valves should be completely closed. Pop the distributor cap off and see if the rotor is pointing to the number one tower on the distributor cap. If all of these line up, then the base timing is correct.
To check for slack in the chain, turn the engine over by hand until the distributor rotor starts to move. Now turn the engine in the opposite direction and see how many degrees of crankshaft movement there is until the rotor move again. if it is more than two degrees, then the timing chain has stretched and is a good candidate for replacement.
Additional Information provided courtesy of ALLDATA
