Water pump

[porschpow]

Actually, it almost sounds better to leave it alone if the timing cover was not taken off

[87Topaz]

As Popeye once said, "You puts up your money and takes ya chances"! Hypothetical question since it is not yet leaking. Once you are that far in and have advanced mileage I can't see NOT doing the timing gears and chain. Not a job you really feel like doing twice unless you REALLY enjoy this kind of stuff.

[His Royal Ghostliness]

Actually, it almost sounds better to leave it alone if the timing cover was not taken off

If by leave it alone you mean not mess with the water pump either then yes. If you take the water pump off you are taking a chance on the timing cover - maybe years of coolant buildup have glued the gaskets between it and the block well enough that when the pressure created by the long water pump bolts is removed the gasket still remains well attached to both sides and upon reassembly it will seal again. Or maybe it's all petrified and just looking for a reason to spring a leak and you just gave it one.

If the cover has been off before and RTV was used on the gaskets, go ahead and swap pump only. I have to literally chisel my differential covers off every time I need them removed, so I can't see why the same RTV used with the same gaskets material won't behave in the same manner behind the timing cover. Basically if RTV is involved (especially the Ultra-Grey) you'll need some brute force to separate the pieces, simply removing the water pump bolts ain't gonna be enough to faze the seal between the timing cover and the engine block.

[gadget73]

some of these had plastic timing gears, and you're well into borrowed time if you have one. The 302 is an interference engine, so if the chain jumps its very liable to bend valves. Before you decide to skip the chain, rock the crank back and forth while watching the rotor. If you can move the crank before the rotor follows, pull the cover and change it. If it follows right along its likely just fine. The plastic is fairly stupid, it seems to die in the 80-100k mile range, but it may be as much age as anything else. The steel double roller chains go 200k without worries of it jumping and trashing the valves. I changed one on my car at 225k, and it wasn't really loose enough to justify replacement if I didn't already have the timing cover off. I didn't know this until the cover came off of course.

[Mainemantom]

Always try to get a NEW pump. Not rebuilt or reman. With the age of the car,the others have wise advise. Check the timing cover itself carefully for corrosion. If there is any,replace it. Timing gears, if it were my car, I would replace. with top quality timing kit. Of course Motorcraft parts are best if available.

[His Royal Ghostliness]

some of these had plastic timing gears, and you're well into borrowed time if you have one. The 302 is an interference engine, so if the chain jumps its very liable to bend valves. Before you decide to skip the chain, rock the crank back and forth while watching the rotor. If you can move the crank before the rotor follows, pull the cover and change it. If it follows right along its likely just fine. The plastic is fairly stupid, it seems to die in the 80-100k mile range, but it may be as much age as anything else.

Just did one of those, 80k or so, caught it right on time - 4 big cracks radially across the plastic "ring" gear, two of the teeth were ready to break off soon with cracks on both sides of their contact surfaces... 1-1/8" play in it too (total range, not center to one side), pulled chain up on top of a tooth and it was just about good for climbing over and down the other side, another 1/8" of play would have done it in most likely. One of Ford's WTF ideas for sure.

[gadget73]

yeah, definitely not one of their better moments.

[Toploader]

Thanks to one and all for the input......the car is fine now with no leaks............like they say if it works no need to repair.........if the pump does let go I will just do a new chain and gears and be done with it..........and I will attmpet to get a FoMoCo OEM pump, chain, and gears.