So about 10,000 miles ago I replaced my chains tensioners and phasers using cloyes and other recommended parts. I also added an oil pressure gage and HP High Volume/pressure pump. Iran OK for a while then I got tired of the codes and had a shop program and do the lockout kits. He had to tweak it a couple times but it ran great for about 1000 miles. While pulling a tractor 40 miles a squeal like a belt started. It got worse, but I made it back home. I replaced the serpentine belt and tension pulley just in case. For giggles while the belt was off I fired it up and the squeal was still there. At least I did find a bad belt and tensioner, just not the cause of the squeal.

Now I am certain even with the blocks in I am back to opening everything up. The cam chain tensioners were the ratchet style as recommended. I think it is the passenger chain squealing, but under heavy load I also hear chatter from drivers side like a pinging motor.

Is it common for the chains to lose tension so quick? I assume the best resolution is to open it up again and look at the guides and tensioners. Is it possible the blocks failed?

I wish now I sold the truck while it was worth more. Now I might be lucky to get 5 grand for a 2008 single cab with a flatbed. Great on the farm but not cool for the kids.

 

I would just trade it in at your great dealer, get a 3.5L and smoke some sand towing stuff again.
My belief is the broken in 5.4 needs 5W30 full synthetic best available motor oil. My belief
is 5w20 is all about fleet gas mileages and is total B.S. I once had a 2008 Corolla and broken in
3rd oil change 5w30 full synthetic stopped the cold start up noises. Just saying.

 

It is not common for cam chains to lose tension so quickly.

You probably will have to open it up to figure it out.

 

So this is the third time I have opened the engine since doing the complete change out. The last two times was the shop that installed the blocks and reprogrammed the motor to prevent pinging. then he had to go back in as he wanted to replace some cam followers. It was within a day or two and we were being cautious. Now I am not seeing any damage other than some pitting/wear on the brand new camshafts. I am not sure if it is damage from before or new. On the good side the chain appears to be tight and the glides are complete and not falling apart.

Would a squeal under load be cam followers? With a tick on startup and the squeal I am not taking a chance. It is just hard to dump another $500 in followers at Freedom. I could skimp and just do a few, but really it is a pain to keep opening it up. How many others would just bite the bullet and go big? I can find a sedt at Summit Race for $400, but should I skimp a C note? What else is out there that works longer?

As for the oil, 20 or 30 should not matter if you are getting the oil pressure. I am holding 40-60 psi hot or cold and there is no sign of burning under the covers so I think the oil is good. I trust Royal Purple to do a great job and seldom have I had a problem. The race oil pump from Freedom Race is doing well.



Front of cam

Chains and Tensioners/ Guide

Back of cam

 

Left side looks about the same as right. I ordered followers from Freedom Racing. I cannot see anyone with anything better recommended and the difference of $100-150 is worth not having to do this again. When we changed a few of the followers I should have just dropped 5 bills then. That way another mechanic would be playing contortionist. Now we wait for overnight air.

 

Well I ordered the specialty tool for pushing down the vavle springs. What a pain. the front 6 are easy once you get the swing of it. The back 6 are something else. The 2 back exhaust valves are so close to the AC there is barely enough room for the tool to fit. Somehow I managed to twist the tool and the threaded sleeve with a smooth recess to hold the threads while turning jambed up. I will try to post a photo later. Needless to say I could not get it out. Back to old school shady tree stuff. I had to pull the cam shaft up, set the last 6 rockers and carefully torque down the cam again. I always hate doing this as it is a 50-50 shot with bending a valve or a follower/rocker slipping. Check, Double Check, take a break then Check two more times. I never got the chance to try the tool on the last 4 Rocker/Followers. The other 4 intake valves you can barely see that you have it on the valve top right.

In the end of doing the passenger side only I found 3 rockers that were a bit loose on the rollers. Nothing I would have paid attention to before. They were also the ones with the most pitting on the cam lobes. Maybe I am just one of the real lucky ones that caught this before I toasted a motor. Then again I still have to fire it up and see if the squeal is gone. I would hate to find out is is something else. After lunch it is back out for the drivers side.

 

Best part of the entire job just happened today. I dropped a 10mm socket, of course 10mm, and could not see where it fell. Since it was for the valve cover I knew it was not in the motor, just ontop of something I could not see. Jump ahead 3 days and my daughter comes over and hands me a shiny 10mm socket. Winner winner chicken dinner.

 

Should go buy a lottery ticket!