Per both the 1955 and 1957 Ford service manuals, the maximum amount of timing chain deflection is ½” at which point it’s recommended to replace the timing chain and gears as a set.

Lorena, Texas (South of Waco)

I was watching the Mummert video in the rear seal replacement.   Is there something I can do to center the timing cover/seal to the crank?   I have no access to a lathe to make a tool to center this

In lieu of having a centering sleeve to assist in installing the timing cover on the Ford Y, it’s typically adequate to simply install the timing cover so that the oil pan gasket flange at the bottom of the cover is parallel or level with the same oil pan flange (rail) on the block.

Lorena, Texas (South of Waco)

Shout out to Damper Dude fast turn around, great work, fair prices..................  A rare combination in this day and age

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Where would you find one of those?

54 Victoria 312;  48 Ford Conv 302, 56 Bird 312
Forever Ford
Midland Park, NJ

FROM A PREVIOUS THREAD - http://forums.y-blocksforever.com/Topic154208.aspx

"The alignment tool you want is T52L-6059-AAE but is impossible to find.  You can use the crankshaft spacer from the 239 engine as the alignment tool, it would do the same thing.  The spacer (B4AZ 6359-A) is easier to find and one is on ebay now for $20.00." 

          

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Interesting. I hadn't seen the pilot tool before or the 239 crankshaft spacer. Not being familiar with the 239, why does it use a crankshaft spacer?

What I have almost always done is to start the bolts in the timing cover, install the damper, then tighten the timing cover bolts, allowing the damper to center the seal.  I don't have  the aligning  tool, but I  could have  made one from a piece of steel or aluminum or plastic.

John - "The Hoosier Hurricane"