Timing chain
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Joined: Jun 2005
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Timing chain
Hey guys,
Just wanted a few opinions and see what you all think. I have a 94 F150 5.0 4x4 with 191k on it. Truck still runs awesome, but been worried on what if that timing chain breaks. I use this as a daily driver and alot of driving out to the hills. Just worried if im out in the middle of no where and the chain breaks. Can you tell me what to look for or when you all think i should replace it or just leave it.
thanks
nmfordguy
Just wanted a few opinions and see what you all think. I have a 94 F150 5.0 4x4 with 191k on it. Truck still runs awesome, but been worried on what if that timing chain breaks. I use this as a daily driver and alot of driving out to the hills. Just worried if im out in the middle of no where and the chain breaks. Can you tell me what to look for or when you all think i should replace it or just leave it.
thanks
nmfordguy
Hotshot
Joined: May 2004
Posts: 12,170
Likes: 5
From: The hills of No. Calif.
It's not so much the chain as the nylon cam gear you need to worry about, although the chain probably does have a fair amount of stretch by now.
Put a timing light on it and slowly rev the motor to about 2500 RPM, where you should be well past full advance. Hold it there for a bit so the timing can stabilize and then let off the throttle and then get back on it again quickly. Do this a few times, and watch to see how much the timing mark moves as the chain slackens and tightens. A couple degrees is fairly normal, but I'd be a bit more worried if there's a lot of play.
Put a timing light on it and slowly rev the motor to about 2500 RPM, where you should be well past full advance. Hold it there for a bit so the timing can stabilize and then let off the throttle and then get back on it again quickly. Do this a few times, and watch to see how much the timing mark moves as the chain slackens and tightens. A couple degrees is fairly normal, but I'd be a bit more worried if there's a lot of play.
Lead Driver
Joined: Nov 2002
Posts: 9,555
Likes: 40
From: Concord, NC
Another way to check for slack is to turn the engine clockwise to TDC mark on the damper. Take off the distributor and then turn the engine counterclockwise until you see the rotor just begin to move. Look at the damper and note the number of degrees the crank has rotated. If it is 5 degrees or more, the timing set should be replaced. Do this a couple of times to verify.
Senior User
Joined: Jun 2004
Posts: 353
Likes: 3
From: Mid-Missouri
When the nylon gears degrade and start to fail, you will end up with nylon particles in your oil pan and also in the pick-up screen on the oil pump.
Just ran into this on my 86 5.0. The gear was severely worn and when it failed, the teeth shaved off, causing the timing to slip too much for the engine to run.
Mechanic recommended at least dropping the pan and cleaning the pick-up. I figured if I was going to go that far, just replace the pump, screen and the pan gasket (obviously). It has been the best investment I put in that truck.
Oil pressure now runs at 55-60 when running down the highway and never drops below 40 at idle. Also runs much better now that the chain is tight.
By the way, the motor has about 230K on it.
I was in awe of the oil pressure after the repair.
Just ran into this on my 86 5.0. The gear was severely worn and when it failed, the teeth shaved off, causing the timing to slip too much for the engine to run.
Mechanic recommended at least dropping the pan and cleaning the pick-up. I figured if I was going to go that far, just replace the pump, screen and the pan gasket (obviously). It has been the best investment I put in that truck.
Oil pressure now runs at 55-60 when running down the highway and never drops below 40 at idle. Also runs much better now that the chain is tight.
By the way, the motor has about 230K on it.
I was in awe of the oil pressure after the repair.
Hotshot
Joined: May 2004
Posts: 12,170
Likes: 5
From: The hills of No. Calif.
When replacing a timing set, I prefer to use a double roller chain set. The cost is very little more than a stock set, and the quality and chain/sprocket life is much better. Even on a stock high mileage engine like yours, I feel it's worth it.
Summit has a Sealed Power set for $28.39, hard to beat that:
KT3-163SA1
$28.39
Brand: Sealed Power
Product Line: Sealed Power Timing Chain Sets
Timing Chain Style: Double roller
Maximum Advance/Retard at Camshaft: None
Maximum Advance/Retard at Crankshaft: None
Thrust Bearing Included: No
Offset Bushings Included: No
Gaskets Included: No
Bolts/Studs Included: No
Cam Sprocket Material: Iron
Crank Sprocket Material: Iron
Quantity: Sold as a set.
Notes: Set uses a 2-piece fuel pump eccentric
Summit has a Sealed Power set for $28.39, hard to beat that:
KT3-163SA1
$28.39
Brand: Sealed Power
Product Line: Sealed Power Timing Chain Sets
Timing Chain Style: Double roller
Maximum Advance/Retard at Camshaft: None
Maximum Advance/Retard at Crankshaft: None
Thrust Bearing Included: No
Offset Bushings Included: No
Gaskets Included: No
Bolts/Studs Included: No
Cam Sprocket Material: Iron
Crank Sprocket Material: Iron
Quantity: Sold as a set.
Notes: Set uses a 2-piece fuel pump eccentric
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Lead Driver
Joined: Nov 2002
Posts: 9,555
Likes: 40
From: Concord, NC
I got a set from NAPA for about 20 bucks, so the double roller at Summit is a good price. I'm almost positive that all the aftermarket ones will have steel gears instead of the phenolic gears the stock timing set has.
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