Crate Motor Install

[J&MStang]

Originally posted by diablopony
Thanks David,

I have the old motor out and I'm starting to swap parts. Why won't my mechanical fuel pump work if I swap the timing cover off my old engine?

If you want to use old accessories and timing cover here's the way I did it: removed the serpentine drive stuff, including the timing cover and the timing cover block pins (something not on old engine that will prevent you from using your old timing cover unless removed). Get a conversion fuel cam eccentric (Total Performance, etc.) and install it. It has a tab on it that fits into the cam timing gear so it won't slip. The one I have is two piece, meaning it has a slip ring and an eccentric. These are thinner than the original eccentric. Note: the slip ring stops wear between the fuel pump arm and the eccentric. The slip ring has a lot bigger surface area than the fuel pump arm, hence does not wear nearly as fast as the old one. Okay you've got the eccentric in and installed. Put some clay on the edge of the cam and press the timing cover on to flatten the clay. Remove the timing cover and peel the clay off the cam or timing cover whichever it sticks to. Cut a cross section of the clay with a razor blade so you can see the thickness between the cover and the eccentric, should be greater than .020". If you don't want to bother with this step, then use a flashlight and look in the fuel pump boss. Make sure the eccentric is not jammed on the timing cover. Okay, you're ready to install the timing cover. Replace crank seal if you haven't done it then slip over oiled crankshaft. Rotate cover back and forth a small amount just before contacting gasket. Make sure to get good alignment with the base of the block (don't want any oil pan leaks). When aligned start setting bolts to hold it. The rest of the procedure is ordinary. I put the old pan on the new engine and used the new engines torque spreader bars to help secure the pan. Use RTV in the corners of the timing cover where it meets the pan. Use the recommended adhesive on the pan gasket (likely yellow adhesive).