Hello group . I havent posted in a while because i have had too much going on.
If you want new life in an older engine the timing chain is the key.
My 89 2.8 f-bird has 92k miles on it . I just recently replaced the timing chain because I noticed it didnt have the power it should.
The timing chain was definately in need of replacing judging by the freeplay . It had actually broke a piece out of the timing damper.
The biggest problem I encountered was removing the power steering pump bracket after that with the proper pullers it wasnt bad at all.
Another thing was finding the tan and black wire to disconnect the timing advance wire to reset the timing . I couldnt find it at first so I set the timing at 35* full advance @ 2500 rpm . The next day I found the wire up near the heater blower motor . I disconnected it and check the timing again it was 12* at idle so that is where I left it.
I bet I got back about 10 to 15 HP . Incredible difference in performance during acceleration and smoothness at idle.
Bottom line with our engines anything over 80k to 90k you may want to check the timing chain and gears. It is one of the biggest HP gains for the money.
3pc. timing set , water pump and gasket set and seal . = $60.00

 

glad to hear it made such a good difference. i gotta get around to doing that on my car..

 

Hehe, 139xxx miles and the stock timing chain (I think). Think I need to change that?

 

where do you get a new one?
mines making its way to 113k

 

my 85 camaro had 186K and still had the orginal one

 

Any parts store will carry them, make sure you get the 3pc. timing set.

 

I said it years ago. I was running 16.01 all the time. Then I tossed in the new Coyles Double Roller Timming Chain and it was like WOW... Did I put a new engine in. Granted I had 160K on her...

Things the 2.8 Loves:

Coyles Double Roller
Rear Seal
Pan Gasket
Tranny Cooler and new Tranny @ 120K
4.10 Gears


Side note if you rebuild your tranny get a shift kit, corvette servo and higher stall... You won't spend that much more...

 

my 2.8 f~bird is at 166k.... still runnin strong, where do you find that kit for 60 bucks? cuz that sounds like a great winter project this year...

 

Glad to hear the install went okay! How'd you get the new balancer back on?

 

Thanx.


It slid on pretty easy , Than pulled it up the rest of the way with the crank bolt.

 

The whole cost was 60 bucks including the water pump and gasket set.

I bought it at a local auto parts store. Autozone is about the same price.
I didnt go with a double roller just Cloyes factory replacement , I figured the original lasted 90k so why bother.

It wasnt that hard to change.

 

Any suggestion on what stall to go with?