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It's a $20 part to do the chain, but getting that cover off to replace the fasteners for the leaking pump, in my case, took 6 hours
over 3 days, so I did the chain- in the 20 minutes it took.
I would NOT go in there to replace the chain if it wasn't open- waaaay too much 'assle!
When the radiator blew the top seam on my 95 E350 Bus 7.5L, that started a big time project.....
After replacing radiator and pressure checking cooling system, found leaking water pump gasket....... now with broken water pump bolt, the timing cover had to come off. After all said and done: new timing set, water pump/gaskets ect went back in. It's a PITA on the vans to do that explicitly with a 2nd A/C compressor in the way(for rear A/C unit)
At 155K miles the original timing chain had little slack but not much(forgot how much now), Not sure if water pump is original though but it was a Ford part.
Too bad these are not made for the 7.5, then you would never have to replace them again.
the whine those make is awesome sounding, in my opinion, but so is that turbo sound, on those pulling trucks when they get off the diesel pedal! gear drive way cheaper too