98 SOHC timing chain questions

[Tavery1]

Hey guys, well as a few people might have discovered I'm 17 and use my parents 98 SOHC Explorer while I finish high school and my technical school(Boces auto repair for NYS'ers) Anyways, the trucks death rattle has gotten very very loud and since my parents will be buying a new car this spring I was told if its still running its mine, however I know its going to go its had the rattle since last fall or earlier.

On to the question when it does fail how hard is it to at least get a new chain put on (1being an oil change-10 being putting in a new trans) Also say I do get it on would it run to get to my grand fathers(Binghamton to Auburn NY so about an hour hour and half) who has a timing gun, how hard is it to time it?

Thanks and sorry if I come off as a dumb dumb.

 

[vroomzoomboom]

from what i have read, a timing chain is about a 15! if you a search, there are lots of posts on that subject.

 

[Tavery1]

from what i have read, a timing chain is about a 15! if you a search, there are lots of posts on that subject.

Wow, I just read a breakdown from another spot on the forum, if all the that it needs is a tensioner on the front chain it doesn't seem THAT hard(HA!). BTW I love the truck but who in they're right minds would design an engine like this? Thanks I did a search with just replacing timing chain and nothing came up changed the wordage and found this gem. http://explorerforum.com/forums/showthread.php?t=161701&highlight=timing+chain+replacement


Hopefully she stays running if not I might just try and get it goin if not I'd still come out at +/- $0 from "Pick N Pull"(hopefully)

Anyone know the "longevity" of the engine with that stupid rattle, or is it more of a truck to truck basis?

 

[joker1457]

My tentioners on the balance shaft and Jackshaft went out about 5000 miles ago since then they have been replaced. I put it in a shop cost around $1,500.00 if the chain slips on these engines small senerio: Pistons go up and down valves hit top of piston and crash boom bang say goodby to your engine. On a happier note I took a chance on mine I drove almost a month before fixing it, and towed three different boats in that time period. I would give this project a 10 on your scale and agree with a 15. The sooner your get it fixed the less problems the engine will have.

 

[2000StreetRod]

Are you sure?

Make sure it's the timing chain you're hearing and not something else. For the past few weeks I heard what I feared was "the death rattle" coming from my engine. It seemed to be getting progressively worse. A couple of days ago I was looking at the engine and realized that the throttle body cover was still off from my throttle body swap. I noticed that the cruise control cable laying across the top of the intake manifold could flop around. The same (to a lesser degree) was true of the throttle cable. On a hunch I temporarily tied both cables to anything nearby so they couldn't vibrate. My "death rattle" is gone!

 

[joker1457]

Make sure it's the timing chain you're hearing and not something else. For the past few weeks I heard what I feared was "the death rattle" coming from my engine. It seemed to be getting progressively worse. A couple of days ago I was looking at the engine and realized that the throttle body cover was still off from my throttle body swap. I noticed that the cruise control cable laying across the top of the intake manifold could flop around. The same (to a lesser degree) was true of the throttle cable. On a hunch I temporarily tied both cables to anything nearby so they couldn't vibrate. My "death rattle" is gone!

Sounds like you got lucky, wish mine was that simple