Would anyone know about when our timing chains should replaced?I have 73,000 miles on mine and was wondering if they need to replaced like on a common engine.I have seen 5000 rpms many times and it has me wondering.

 

I have 80+ and have wondered the same thing. I hope beyond hope that we don't have to change it, seems like it would be extremely expensive. I will be monitoring this post though, good question, thanks.

 

I know you need to swap the timing belts but the chain is in oil and always tight so it should go a pretty darn long time? Is it not listed as a service or check interval in the owners manuel?

 

You don't have to worry about those chains. I've seen mod motors with over 200,000 miles and there not a problem with the chains. They have automatic tensiors that keep 'em tight even if they do stretch a little.

 

If I could have spelled tensiors I would have put that. I see you can't either. LOL

 

I can't spell for crap. it's a bad habbit
=)

 

I am the one person who could get lessons from you and get better lol

 

No, you do not need to change a timing chain as a part of regular maintenance. Belts yes, chains no. It is possible to throw a chain if a TENSIONER malfuctions, a gear looses a tooth, or a link breaks. However, it is highly unlikely.

 

I sorta forgot about the tensioner,but was thinking about how timing chains on other engines stretch and jump and was wondering.I guess without a tensioner you would have to change it .

 

I was VERY proud to buy a Ford modular motor (first modular I got was my '96 T-bird 4.6L) . The reason? NO DAMN BELTS for an OHC.

I can't understand why any auto manufacturer thinks it's OK to use a timing BELT. A chain is thinner, meaning shorter motor overall, and I just don't buy the "chain noise" or "vibration" excuses for using belts. And you don't even have to worry about the cam seal leaking.

Harley owners are on their own!

ak

 

I was really pleased to see the tritons had chains, not belts. I wonder how this happened... somehow the engineers won over the bean counters! I can hardly understand it... lately it seems everything about most vehicles is just manufacture them absolutely as cheaply as possible and let them fall apart at 50,000 miles - so you have to repair or buy another one. Maybe Ford really values the rep. of their flagship F-series...

 

I think the 4.6L was introduced in 1991 mostly in Crown Vic's or Town Cars. So, it certainly wasn't going into any F-series at the time is was engineered.

I think it was originally intended for front-wheel-drive cars, so motor length was important. Saving the extra 1" or so probably made the decision for them.

ak

 

Yest it was! The motor was codeveloped by the car and Truck team. I was working for ford when it was being developed. Everything was done to build it as a truck motor first. They wanted smoothness as well but reliability was for most. It was put in the car first in part to prove it and work out any bugs. Remember the CV is used in police forces all over the US and they get run a lot and beat to cap so problems would show up soon and fixes could be made before it was put in the best selling vehicle in the US. You don't gamble with that!

 

Very interesting... from what I've read and seen over the years, I thought it was meant for front-wheel-drive cars first. I'll have to readjust my assumptions!

Agreed on the CV thing.

ak

 

While it's nice to think that Ford was considering us, it's buying public in their decision to use a chain instead of a belt, the reality of it is there is just really no practical way to use a belt on any "V" configured engine. Without a hugely complex system anyway. Personally the idea of a belt is appealing to me on small engines. They're inexpensive, relatively easy to change and very quiet. Now a large engine, and a V configured engine at that would be a Rube Goldberg set-up at best so I was happy so see that the cams are chain driven. And happier still to see that they are not required to be replaced at some interval.