Timing chain replacement on a 401?

[wsuxjer]

How difficult is it to replace a timing chain on a 77 J-10 with a 401? I think mine is stretched and possible even jumped a tooth because on the way to work this morning, when I was on the throttle I could hear a slight ticking noise (almost like the rockers) then a really loud noise and then I had no power. I tried advancing the timing when I got to work but it idled bad (surged every few seconds or so. Could it be the timing chain or am I wrong? TIA



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77 J-10, 401, TH400, D20, D44's front and rear
85 XJ, 7" lift, 35" boggers, topless, full cage, etc.

[River Beast]

It's about a 3-4 hour jobs and will test your patience a bit. First check your Distributor gear for worn teeth.Then check the drive gear on the cam for wear with a flashligth looking thru the dist hole

I had made the mistake of putting on the dist drive gear on the cam backwards and lasted about two months until it stripped out the teeth. Make sure you put the drive gear with the spacer inboard to the motor when instaling it on the cam.

A new dist is about $40 at Checkers or Autozone with a lifetime warranty and the cam drive gear was a dealer item for $42.

I have a drive gear so if you need one let me know. Good luck

Oh... don't forget to prime the oil pump upon reassembly...I used petrolleum jelly to pack the pump for priming.

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Todd
78 Wagoneer, "River Beast"
360/TH400/QT
Dana 44's locked w/ 4.89's
39.50x15x15 Super Swamper TSL's
7" SOA in front-7" Rear Shackle Inversion Mods
4" Skyjacker Softride
3" Trailmaster Bodylift
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'93 3/4 ton 4x4 Suburban...a.k.a. "FSJ Hauler"