OK so here goes, I signed up just to get some advice or help here.

My 2003 expedition had problem with the timing chain slapping against the timing cover and wearing a hole through it, so I took her apart and installed a new timing set. Gears, chains, guides, tensioners. Made sure timing was correct per the information I have found. AKA crank keyway at about 11, timing dimple at 6, Driver head cam dimple at 12 and pass around 11. Line up the black links on the chains. So she fires up but then as I'm driving it I notice oil pressure keeps dropping and going back up, crap I say and head back home but she dies. So I disassemble it, clean out the oil pan of all the chain guide parts, clean out the oil pickup and screen as well. Put it back together, it had jumped time so I timed it again but this time upon starting it up I hear clank clank clank, wtf I say so I take off the valve covers and see the pass exhaust valve followers all laying in the bottom of the head. Ok... so I remove the head, replace the valves, inspect pistons and guides, all ok. (Pistons not cracked) go to put timing stuff back on and here's where the problem begins.

No matter what I do, with the #1 piston at TDC, crank gear timing dimple facing down I cannot match the black link on the chain with the timing mark on the pass side cam. The cam tries to open the exhaust valve at about the same time the timing mark would get where I need it to be. I can't figure this out, it's driving me insane. This should be simple, line up blank links to marks but it's not! Does anyone have any helpful advice? I sure as hell could use it!

 

The mark on the crankshaft is supposed to go up, not down. Read step 12 here: F150 F250 How to Replace Your Timing Chain - Ford-Trucks

 

Thanks for the reply, looking at that step#12 as suggested I see a blue mark on the 6oclock position of the crank gear which corresponds with red mark on the timing chain. Am I missing something? Appears that timing mark goes down. Which would coincide with every other instruction I've seen. Not trying to be rude just curious if I've missed something?

 

Scribd has a full OEM manual for 2003 Exp/Nav. You might want to look at it to confirm for sure.

 

Yes there is, but there's also one at the 12:00 position...confusing, ain't it.

I'm inclined to agree with you but I was only relaying the information posted on that page. Perhaps it's a misprint, or perhaps they know something we don't. Anyways, I've attached the timing change procedure from the factory manual. Look it over and see if there is anything you might have missed when doing yours.