Timing chain guides and tensioners....

[tbone]

With 144,000 miles on my car, my Eaton conversion is going in this spring. I'm thinking I should probably change out the valve chain tensioners and guides as preventative maintenance, or at least pull the covers and inspect them. I'm wondering if it's a foregone conclusion that they will need to be changed or if regular oil changes (especially synthetic) makes them (sometimes) last well past 144k. The engine runs and sounds perfect. Any experiences would be appreciated. :)

[MustangMoser]

If you take the cover off there is no reason to not replace them. If you're gonna do something, do it right

[Pat]

I had mine inspected at 106K and they were normal according to my Mechanic. IIRC there were more than one type of chain guides used in these engines. Inspect first replace as needed, these parts may be expensive.

[tbone]

I can get everything I need including gaskets for $297 shipped at Rock Auto.

[Marauderjack]

I have wondered about mine too......251,728 miles and counting but no clatter on start up and it has stopped smoking on start up too.....SCARY!!:eek:

Is it about to BLOW??:bigcry:

[SpartaPerformance]

I can get everything I need including gaskets for $297 shipped at Rock Auto.

What are you getting for $297? I see the full kit on RockAuto for $495 form Cloyes. CLOYES Part # 90387SF . At that point you might as well get the Ford Racing Kit

https://id144237.webhosting.optonline. net/spartaperformance.com/merchantmanager/product_info.php?cPath=49_54&products_id=279

with shipping might even be less then $495. ETA from Ford is 1/31/14

[tbone]

4 guides and 4 tensioners, plus the gasket kit. I highly doubt I need the $500 kit with gears and chains. If I needed the full kit, I would def get the Ford Racing one from Sparta. Thanks.

[tbone]

I have wondered about mine too......251,728 miles and counting but no clatter on start up and it has stopped smoking on start up too.....SCARY!!:eek:

Is it about to BLOW??:bigcry:

Good to hear. Maybe I'll just leave it be for now.

[lifespeed]

I have wondered about mine too......251,728 miles and counting but no clatter on start up and it has stopped smoking on start up too.....SCARY!!:eek:

Is it about to BLOW??:bigcry:

They always run best right before they blow up . . .

[Marauderjack]

Good to hear. Maybe I'll just leave it be for now.

That's what the FORD techs have said........if it breaks then just look back at how long it has served ya!!:beer:

[Marauderjack]

They always run best right before they blow up . . .


Actually it has never run bad but has smoked off and on at start up since it was new.......no smoke the last couple of cold weeks!!:shake:

BTW.....OP is just under 100 PSI "cold idle" and 25+ PSI hot idle with no consumption between 5K mile changes......been that way for 10+ years!!:bows:

BEST CAR I've ever owned and I've had it the longest!!:D

[tbone]

One of the guides was worn through to the metal for about 2 inches. The rest of them were perfect. I'm going to post pics in my Eaton thread.

[ctrlraven]

One of the guides was worn through to the metal for about 2 inches. The rest of them were perfect. I'm going to post pics in my Eaton thread.
Replacing the tensioners with the metal ones?

[tbone]

Yes, metal ones. No plastic here.

[MM in MN]

I'd be worried about more than the chain tensioners with the extra stress a blower is going to put on a stock 144K mile bottom end

[Zack]

I'd be worried about more than the chain tensioners with the extra stress a blower is going to put on a stock 144K mile bottom end

how are metal parts anymore stressed with 144k than 1k?

[tbone]

Did you see the condition of the engine? It's been babied its' whole life. It will be fine. If not, good excuse for a new lower end.

[ctrlraven]

Did you see the condition of the engine? It's been babied its' whole life. It will be fine. If not, good excuse for a new lower end.
I was pleasantly surprised when my timing cover came off and everything was super clean at 214k miles.

[tbone]

How were your chain guides?

[Marauderjack]

I was pleasantly surprised when my timing cover came off and everything was super clean at 214k miles.

See....there is hope after all......maybe the severe wear was only in the '03 engines and earlier??:confused:

[ctrlraven]

How were your chain guides?
Only the passenger side guide was the worst all of the nylon material was GONE and chain had wore some into the metal, the driver's side had minimal wear on the nylon plastic. The chain arms had minimal wear on them as well for the mileage. The passenger side tensioner was fine, had good pressure and the driver side tensioner was toast. I've only used Amsoil, RP and the past 100k miles Mobil 1. Always changed at 5k mile intervals.

http://i11.photobucket.com/albums/a164/ctrlraven/marauder/20140329_123053_zps8barexto.jp g
http://i11.photobucket.com/albums/a164/ctrlraven/marauder/20140329_123142_zpscyawegh6.jp g
http://i11.photobucket.com/albums/a164/ctrlraven/marauder/20140329_123147_zpsx1swxayr.jp g
http://i11.photobucket.com/albums/a164/ctrlraven/marauder/20140329_123303_zpsmmy09ks3.jp g
http://i11.photobucket.com/albums/a164/ctrlraven/marauder/20140329_154729_zpsitatkb3b.jp g

[IwantmyMMnow!]

I can't tell from the pics (which I'm glad you posted), but does the engine block need to be moved/hoisted in order to take the timing chain cover off? I really would like to have mine taken off to take a look at the chain guides/tensioners, but don't have the know-how/equipment or the money to have someone else do it if the block does need to be moved/hoisted. How many hours of labor do you all think I'd get charged to have this done?

[Zack]

Chris your chain guide did not wear out.
One of the 2 mounting tabs that secure it to the aluminum broke and the rest just fell off.

[ctrlraven]

I can't tell from the pics (which I'm glad you posted), but does the engine block need to be moved/hoisted in order to take the timing chain cover off? I really would like to have mine taken off to take a look at the chain guides/tensioners, but don't have the know-how/equipment or the money to have someone else do it if the block does need to be moved/hoisted. How many hours of labor do you all think I'd get charged to have this done?
Engine is not lifted. Seneca (a member here) did mine for me. It's not worth just taking it off to look. If you take it off then you should go ahead and replace stuff.

Most shops would charge between $700 and $1200 depending on their labor rates and parts/supplies.

Job probably can be done in 5-8 hrs depending on knowledge of knowing our motors and pace of work.

Seneca did a great job and I am very thankful for him helping me out.

[ctrlraven]

Chris your chain guide did not wear out.
One of the 2 mounting tabs that secure it to the aluminum broke and the rest just fell off.
Is that even feasible? If so I guess it would be trapped in the oil pan?

[tbone]

Hard to tell the wear from the pics. Did you see the pic of my one worn one in my Eaton thread? Not bad for 144k mles!

[Zack]

Is that even feasible? If so I guess it would be trapped in the oil pan?

In a million pieces. When it falls the chain and bottom crank gear chew it up.

[ctrlraven]

Hard to tell the wear from the pics. Did you see the pic of my one worn one in my Eaton thread? Not bad for 144k mles!
I still have all the parts in a box, I'll take some pics of the parts soon.

[lifespeed]

Are those the original chains and gears?

[ctrlraven]

Are those the original chains and gears?
If you are asking me, yes all original. That's about as open as my engine has ever been besides when I took off the intake manifold to clean it.

[tbone]

These engines are awesome with proper maintenance. And synthetic oil of course.

[IwantmyMMnow!]

Engine is not lifted. Seneca (a member here) did mine for me. It's not worth just taking it off to look. If you take it off then you should go ahead and replace stuff.

Most shops would charge between $700 and $1200 depending on their labor rates and parts/supplies.

Job probably can be done in 5-8 hrs depending on knowledge of knowing our motors and pace of work.

Seneca did a great job and I am very thankful for him helping me out.

Thanks for the response....kinda figured that's what the deal was.