Replacing tensioners and guides.

[PuntyMario]

getting some naaaaaasty rattle on startup and idle and low rpm acceleration...
ive never done anything like remove the timing cover but ill have my genius father to help me out. he said that hed lack the tools to remove the cover but honestly it looks like its pretty straight forward. only looks time consuming is all.

anyway i want to get replacements for said items. im wondering if there are shops i could go to buy parts as to avoid shipping times and costs. i can drive out and get the parts if theyre available in the lower mainland bc or down in the seattle area. also what kinda time frame am i looking at to get this done? couple days i think?

a friend of mine sent me this vid HAQwkISqdGwdunno how much of it is relevant to the DOHC engine

ill be searching around mm.net and cv.net for more info on getting this done in the meantime.

[ctrlraven]

I had my primary tensioners, gear chain arms and gear chain guides replaced. Lots of chain slap on startup and once the oil warmed up to normal operating temp it made a rattle at low rpm (below 1200 rpms).

I recommend getting the metal tensioners which I discuss in this thread http://www.mercurymarauder.net/forums/showthread.php?t=92299

You'll need left & right primary metal tensioners, left & right gear chain arms, left & right chain guide arms, and a Felpro Timing Cover Gasket Set p/n 45980. Also need some new coolant of either a pre 50/50 mix or pure and mix it yourself since you'll need to drain the radiator to remove the coolant hoses.

You may also need a valve cover gasket set and new O-rings for the COT (Crossover Tube).

I had a fellow MM owner do mine, he was able to get the timing cover off without removing the COT or valve covers. He loosened the bolts on the valve covers and shimmed them enough to get the timing cover off. Also had to shave/chip part of the oil pan gasket away for more leverage.

I ordered the tensioners from RockAuto and got the gaskets and chain guide parts from Advance Auto Parts.

Time frame took about 8-10 hrs and that was moving at a slow pace since we bs' ed around, the person who did it also had done it before so it was still fresh in their head. I believe most of the timing cover bolts are 18 ft/lbs tq rate.

Before & After pics http://www.mercurymarauder.net/forums/showthread.php?t=92538

Only issues we ran into was getting the timing cover off without removing the COT/valve covers, had some oil drip down off the VC to the exhaust and smoke a bit and then needed to burp the coolant system 3-4 times since it had a lot of air in the system.

[Jeronimojc]

Good thread! I like the video. PuntyMario, please keep notes on parts and vendors. I may be doing the same in the not too distant future.

[PuntyMario]

I had my primary tensioners, gear chain arms and gear chain guides replaced. Lots of chain slap on startup and once the oil warmed up to normal operating temp it made a rattle at low rpm (below 1200 rpms).

I recommend getting the metal tensioners which I discuss in this thread http://www.mercurymarauder.net/forums/showthread.php?t=92299

You'll need left & right primary metal tensioners, left & right gear chain arms, left & right chain guide arms, and a Felpro Timing Cover Gasket Set p/n 45980. Also need some new coolant of either a pre 50/50 mix or pure and mix it yourself since you'll need to drain the radiator to remove the coolant hoses.

You may also need a valve cover gasket set and new O-rings for the COT (Crossover Tube).

I had a fellow MM owner do mine, he was able to get the timing cover off without removing the COT or valve covers. He loosened the bolts on the valve covers and shimmed them enough to get the timing cover off. Also had to shave/chip part of the oil pan gasket away for more leverage.

I ordered the tensioners from RockAuto and got the gaskets and chain guide parts from Advance Auto Parts.

Time frame took about 8-10 hrs and that was moving at a slow pace since we bs' ed around, the person who did it also had done it before so it was still fresh in their head. I believe most of the timing cover bolts are 18 ft/lbs tq rate.

Before & After pics http://www.mercurymarauder.net/forums/showthread.php?t=92538

Only issues we ran into was getting the timing cover off without removing the COT/valve covers, had some oil drip down off the VC to the exhaust and smoke a bit and then needed to burp the coolant system 3-4 times since it had a lot of air in the system.

great intel as always. thanks raven :)


Good thread! I like the video. PuntyMario, please keep notes on parts and vendors. I may be doing the same in the not too distant future.

yes i will now that you mention that lol

[Zack]

Buy the guides directly from Ford.

[JoeBoomz]

I just did this job. Raise the cam covers up to avoid breaking the gaskets. Don't need to drain coolant. Try to zip tie the chains to the crank so they don't jump timing. If they jump you have made the job much bigger ;)

[ctrlraven]

I just did this job. Raise the cam covers up to avoid breaking the gaskets. Don't need to drain coolant. Try to zip tie the chains to the crank so they don't jump timing. If they jump you have made the job much bigger ;)
Person who did mine, removed the coolant hoses and fan to make more room which was fine.

Zip ties on the timing gears and crank were a big help.

If replacing with metal tensioners, its a good idea that once everything all timing components are back on and secure to turn the crank over by hand to get the chains nice and tight then set safety lock ratchet on the tensioners.

[ChiTownMaraud3r]

My grand marquis has an engine tick now, seems like drivers side of the motor. I wonder if its the tensioners/guides...

[justbob]

Chains are easy. Don't fear it.


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