Topic: HiPo timing chain and "correct" fuel pump

[Bill]

We took a peek at the timing chain in my 1965 HiPo and it seems a lot too loose. I broke a pushrod a couple of months age and wonder if the chain has slipped. Had the heads fixed and are ready to install but worried about the timing chain problem. I bought a new 289 timing chain that is a standard double roller style that is a bit too wide for a HiPo due to the "hatchet" counterweight. Can I just get rid of the counterweight and use the standard (wider) chain or should I open up the pocketbook and buy a "correct" one.

My fuel pump is the sealed "Crimped" Carter style but in Tony Gregory's book it says that the pump should actually be the one that has the "screwed together" design that I took out years ago. Since I have the engine apart, should I rebuild the "screwed together" one I took out years ago or is the "crimped" style correct? Wan't there a place that would rebuild the "crimped" ones at one time?

Thanks,

Bill Krieger

[ChrisV289]

When was your built?

[jwc66k]

We took a peek at the timing chain in my 1965 HiPo and it seems a lot too loose. I broke a pushrod a couple of months age and wonder if the chain has slipped. Had the heads fixed and are ready to install but worried about the timing chain problem. I bought a new 289 timing chain that is a standard double roller style that is a bit too wide for a HiPo due to the "hatchet" counterweight. Can I just get rid of the counterweight and use the standard (wider) chain or should I open up the pocketbook and buy a "correct" one.

Bill,
KEEP the hatchet. It's part of the engine's balance feature. If you think a broken pushrod is bad, think a two piece crank.

My fuel pump is the sealed "Crimped" Carter style but in Tony Gregory's book it says that the pump should actually be the one that has the "screwed together" design that I took out years ago. Since I have the engine apart, should I rebuild the "screwed together" one I took out years ago or is the "crimped" style correct? Wan't there a place that would rebuild the "crimped" ones at one time?

Contact Fred at fredsclassics@hotmail.com for rebuilds and information.
Jim

[Bob Gaines]

We took a peek at the timing chain in my 1965 HiPo and it seems a lot too loose. I broke a pushrod a couple of months age and wonder if the chain has slipped. Had the heads fixed and are ready to install but worried about the timing chain problem. I bought a new 289 timing chain that is a standard double roller style that is a bit too wide for a HiPo due to the "hatchet" counterweight. Can I just get rid of the counterweight and use the standard (wider) chain or should I open up the pocketbook and buy a "correct" one.

My fuel pump is the sealed "Crimped" Carter style but in Tony Gregory's book it says that the pump should actually be the one that has the "screwed together" design that I took out years ago. Since I have the engine apart, should I rebuild the "screwed together" one I took out years ago or is the "crimped" style correct? Wan't there a place that would rebuild the "crimped" ones at one time?

Thanks,

Bill Krieger

Bill, many people opt to use a wider timing chain on a hipo . The hatchet head counter weight is needed to off set the heavy rods in a mass produced engine that didn't have the advantage of the more process dynamic balancing . If you eliminate the counter weight to run the wider timing chain you will have to have the reciprocating assembly balanced to compensate.  This is done all of the time . Better to have a better timing chain for high rpm running then the hatchet is the conventional wisdom.  This is not a issue when rebuilding a engine and having the engine balanced however if you have already done that then it is . To recap ,if you want to lose the hatchet head you have to re balance the engine without it.

[Bill]

Mine was a San Jose build on March 22

[Bill]

Looks like I need to look for a narrow timing chain. Engine is still in the car and don't think balancing it is in the budget.

How about the crimped fuel pump. Does anyone know somebody that rebuilds them? Thought I saw somebody years ago that got into that.

Thanks,

Bill

[carlite65]

see reply #2 above. fred ballard is your man for that task.

[sgl66]

+1 to what Jim and Bob said about the hatchet. Unless you are building a full blown race motor, a standard chain is fine

+1 on Fred Ballard also

[2+2=GT350]

Yes Fred is the man for the fuel pump. He did mine and I couldn't have been happier. He does them in "groups" email him and post when his next run is. 

[65KGT]

Fred has lots of hipo parts. Also check with him on the timing chain.