'99 4.0 Timing Chain

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Jun 7, 2007 | 05:49 PM

69401

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'99 4.0 Timing Chain

'99 Explorer 2WD 4.0 OHV 113,000

I have several questions.

First, I had a cracked head and so am doing a valve job on the good head and getting another head for the cracked one.

While I am doing this, I have considered changing the timing chain. I had no noise issues with it prior to the head problem. Whether to change it because of the milage is one question.

The second is if I do, can it be done with the engine in the car. The Haynes manuel says no. It says you must remove the oil pan to get the timing cover off and removing the oil pan requires removing the engine.

Can I remove the timing cover without removing the oil pan? The front bolts of the oil pan screw into the bottom of the timing cover.

If I have to remove the oil pan, does the engine have to be removed? I got under the car and I just can't see space wise why it would have to be.

Thanks,

Tom

Jun 9, 2007 | 10:02 AM

E.B. Cornburner

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Joined: May 2007

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From: Oshkosh, WI

Honestly, I'd leave it alone. I've never seen a 4.0L OHV ever puke a timing chain. I've had them with over 300,000 miles on them with absolutely no timing chain or valve train noise. Now if it were a 4.0 SOHC, most likely that would be the first failure.

Jun 9, 2007 | 02:30 PM

Exploder02

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I agree with the Cornburner... the OHV is a solid engine (certainly much more solid than the SOHC until around 2002 or so--timing chain issues galore on the SOHC until then)... I'd change the head and keep driving it.

Jun 11, 2007 | 09:49 AM

69401

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Thanks for the replies. I've put the heads back on and it started. I was praying when I turned the key as this was my first attempt at replacing the heads. So far, so good.

Tom