How to Replace the Timing Chain Cover on a Ford 460

The timing chain cover on Ford’s 460 engine not only physically covers the timing chain; it prevents the oil within the engine from leaking out. The cover also acts as a mounting point for the engine’s water pump. The 460’s timing chain cover is particularly prone to leaks if the cover is cracked or the gasket fails. Whether replacing a defective timing chain cover gasket or a broken cover itself, the process is the same.

Things You'll Need:

• Wrench
• Screwdriver
• New timing chain cover gasket
• Gasket sealer
• Fuel pump gasket
• Water pump gasket
• Antifreeze

1. Drain the radiator by turning the drain bolt on the bottom of the radiator

Drain the radiator by turning the drain bolt on the bottom of the radiator in a counterclockwise direction with a wrench.

2. Disconnect the two radiator hoses from the engine

Disconnect the two radiator hoses from the engine. The upper hose leads to the front of the intake manifold, while the lower hose attaches to the water pump. Loosen the hose clamps at the end of each hose where the hose attaches to the engine with a screwdriver, then pull each hose away from the engine.

3. Remove the radiator’s four retaining bolts with a wrench

Remove the radiator’s four retaining bolts with a wrench, then lift the radiator out of the engine compartment. A single retaining bolt is located at each corner of the radiator inside the engine compartment.

4. Loosen the fan belts

Loosen the fan belts. One or more belts wrap around the upper pulley, which is between the water pump and the fan blades. The number of belts depends on which accessories your engine uses, such as a power steering pump or an air conditioner. To loosen the belts, find the bolts that hold the accessory to the engine, then loosen the bolts with a wrench. Push the accessory toward the engine to slacken the belts.

5. Remove the four bolts in the center of the fan blades with a wrench

Remove the four bolts in the center of the fan blades with a wrench; then pull the blades away from the engine, followed by the upper pulley.

6. Disconnect the water pump hose from the intake manifold

Disconnect the water pump hose from the intake manifold. The hose exits the top of the water pump and attaches to the thermostat housing at the front of the intake manifold. The hose attaches to the housing with a single hose clamp. Loosen the screw on the hose clamp with a screwdriver, then pull the hose away from the housing to disconnect it.

7. Remove the bolts around the edges of the water pump with a wrench

Remove the bolts around the edges of the water pump with a wrench, then pull the water pump away from the engine.

8. Remove the fuel pump

Remove the fuel pump. The fuel pump is on the driver’s side of the timing chain cover, held in place with two retaining bolts. Remove the bolts with a wrench, then pull the pump out of the timing chain cover.

9. Using a wrench, remove the bolts that hold the timing chain cover in place

Using a wrench, remove the bolts that hold the timing chain cover in place; then pull the cover off the engine. Two of the bolts are underneath the timing chain cover and are used to help attach the oil pan to the bottom of the engine.

10. Peel the old gasket off the timing chain cover

Peel the old gasket off the timing chain cover, then coat one side of a new gasket with gasket sealer. Place the coated side against the back of the timing chain cover, then coat the other side of the gasket with the sealer. Place the timing chain cover over the timing chain, then install and tighten each of the cover’s retaining bolts with a wrench.

11. Peel the old gasket off the fuel pump

Peel the old gasket off the fuel pump, then coat a new fuel pump gasket with gasket sealer in the same manner as above. Insert the metal arm that protrudes out of the fuel pump into the timing chain cover until the pump fits evenly against the timing chain cover. Install and tighten the pump’s two retaining bolts with a wrench.

12. Peel the old water pump gasket off the back of the water pump

Peel the old water pump gasket off the back of the water pump. Coat a new water pump gasket with gasket sealer; then place the pump against the front of the timing chain cover. Install and tighten the water pump’s retaining bolts with a wrench.

13. Connect the water pump hose to the thermostat housing

Connect the water pump hose to the thermostat housing on the front of the intake manifold by first sliding the hose onto the housing, then tightening the hose’s clamp with a screwdriver.

14. Position the upper pulley onto the water pump, followed by the fan

Position the upper pulley onto the water pump, followed by the fan. Insert and tighten each of the fan’s four retaining bolts with a wrench, then place the fan belt(s) into the groove in the upper pulley.

15. Pull each engine accessory away from the engine to tighten its belt

Pull each engine accessory away from the engine to tighten its belt, then tighten the accessory’s retaining bolts with a wrench.

16. Insert the radiator into the engine compartment

Insert the radiator into the engine compartment, then install and tighten each of the radiator’s four retaining bolts with a wrench. Slide the radiator’s lower hose onto the water pump, then slide the upper hose to the thermostat housing. Tighten the hose clamp at the end of each hose with a screwdriver.

17. Fill the radiator with antifreeze

Fill the radiator with antifreeze, and allow at least two hours for the gasket sealer to dry before starting the engine.

Video: Ford OBS; Kevin's 460 F350 Timing Chain Install!

Helpful comments on this video:

• I recently replaced the timing chain and gears in my '93 460 powered f250. I figured that wrestling with three gaskets dressed with rtv while trying to get the water pump into that intermediate hose might be a bit challenging. So, I did mine in stages. I bought two sets of different length bolts. One set was to hold the plate to the cover while the rtv dressed gasket dried/adhered. The other set was to hold the timing cover to the block without the water pump installed so those rtv dressed gaskets could have time to dry/adhere. Another thing that helped was test fitting the new intermediate hose onto the new water pump. I eventually resorted to using silicone spray to get it to slide on. I was really glad that I was not fighting with that for the first time while trying to install it. After the rtv had dried and the removal of the temporary bolts, the timing cover/plate assembly did not move at all while installing the new water pump. I think that the added investment of about $3 in bolts made the job go a lot smoother.
• I really want to hear more about this how is the result now after a couple of years? How about an idle sound video? Love the videos on this project not alot of guys mess around with the EFI 460 stuff. Im currently in the middle of the cam swap on mine. Ive also done a MAF conversion and am having a tweecer tune done on it. Also wanna say thanks for the videos they have been helpful