Fixing up a 97 explorer.

[nitrodude]

Finally got the last two plugs changed out today!! Whoot!

Ordered the timing chain tensioners from advanced today, Because I noticed my timing chain rattles a bit on cold starts then stops after 10-30 seconds.
Runs great after that!

New Question! on the 97 4.0 sohc engine, Do you have to remove the intake manifold to get to one of the tensioners? I found the one on the passenger rear side of the engine, That one looks nice and easy to get to with a breaker bar and a long extension. The other Im not sure where its located on my engine.

(I ordered the regular one, And the one with the reservoir, Believe the reservoir is the 2nd tensioner that I cant find)


Also Im thinking about draining a quart of oil (Just did an oil change) and throwing in a quart of lucas oil stabilizer. Ive heard great things from them so figured It couldnt hurt this 16 year old 200k mile engine! LOL.

 

[2000StreetRod]

285 amp alternator?

. . . Plus have a 285 amp alternator on the way. Life is good

Did you install the alternator? If so, were there any problems? I'm looking for a high output alternator in the standard case size with a rear (instead of side) B+ terminal.

 

[nitrodude]

Yes alt is installed.
Very, very little clearance in the back. You have to remove the alt to remove or put on a charging wire.

Wish the charging post was on the side like stock.

Other then that its alright,and easy to do

 

[2000StreetRod]

Alternator to BJB cable

Yes alt is installed.
Very, very little clearance in the back. You have to remove the alt to remove or put on a charging wire.

Wish the charging post was on the side like stock.

Other then that its alright,and easy to do

The only high output alternators I've found with the stock arrangement are from DB Electrical with max outputs of 160, 200 or 220 amps.

Did you upgrade the alternator to battery junction box cable? If so, what parts did you use and where did you get them?

 

[nitrodude]

My alt is externally regulated.
I've got two runs of 2/0 from the alt to the rear (one pos one neg)
Then another run of 1/0 from the alt to the front battery and 1/0 from the engine to the front battery ground.

Should work for now.
It's charging three g31 batts in the rear as well as my starting battery.


Whenever you upgrade an alt to a large amp alt, ALWAYS do the "big 3" in at least 4g preferably 1/0.
I did 2/0 front to rear will probably do 2/0 to the front battery later as well.

I picked up tinned topper 2/0 terminals 20 for $25 shipped that worked great. Good quality.
Also used a hammer crimper off eBay $18 shipped.

 

[nitrodude]

Got the passenger side tensioner replaced. Not a huge difference in spring stiffness but there was indeed some.
Got te truck Half torn apart to get to the top driver side tensioner and It starts pouring.
Waiting for the rain to stop or at least slow down and ill get the other side down.

Hopefully that fixes my rattle at cold starts $120 in parts and $20 for a 1/2" 10" extension and a deep well 27mm socket to reach.

 

[nitrodude]

Well, Got the top tensioner out and replaced it, test started it before putting back together and it sounded like a diesel, LOUD rattle. Took it out and threw the stock one back on, re test started, ran great.

Said screw it and threw it all back together with the stock one.

Started it up today, no rattle!

Hopefully it stays that way. It usually rattled after sitting, so guess I will eventually see if it rattles again. Will update if it does.

And just an FYI-The pasenger side tensioner was a breeze to replace, the top/driver side, Was a complete and total *****!! everythings in the way and tight spaces were my fat hands didnt fit
Oh well, its back together and running.

Getting it registered tomorrow to start daily driving it! Very excited. Hopefully she runs for a good, long time.

 

[2000StreetRod]

Ford or aftermarket tensioners?

I assume from the cost ($120) that you purchased Ford OEM tensioners. Many members have reported that the new tensioners' spring pressure is weaker than their worn originals. Did you test the piston for travel in each direction using your thumb before installation? Some won't extend normally after being compressed. How long did you let the engine run after installing the new tensioner? Did you have the diesel sound just at start up or did it continue for several minutes?

 

[nitrodude]

They're s.a gear brand tensioners from advanced auto.

They both fully compressed and came back out just fine.
Te passenger side new tensioner was slightly stronger then the old one.
Top one was pretty equal.

Diesel sound stayed constant. Let it run for a minute or so with no change. (Sounded terrible, almost like there was NO tension at all) Didn't want to risk it and since they were both about as stuff I just threw the stock one back in. Wasn't worth tearing it all back down if the new tensioner was bad.


Howver, I had the batt disconnected and upon restarting the truck the idle was pretty rough. Went into reverse and it stalled. Started right back up.
Drive around the block and it seems to have cleared up?
Maybe relearnin the idle, not sure

Also, since I replaced the last two spark splugs, I'm still having a hard start issue on first cold start ("cold" being FLs 80+ degree weather)
After running runs great (other then before mentioned idle)
And starts right back up after the initial start.

Not sure what the issue still is, hate having to sit as crank it for 5-10 seconds to start up.

 

[nitrodude]

Took it to the DMV today, again took a while to start, stopped and filled up with gas, and yet again took a few to start.

Got to the DMV, transferred my registration and got back in the truck, tarted right up.
Stopped at autozone, came back out and started it up, fired for half a second then stalled. And did so three times before staying running.

Not sure what the issue is now!
If its not one thing with this truck it's another...

 

[nitrodude]

Just changed the fuel filter for the hell of it.

Did a fuel pressure check. 38psi key on, 30psi idling.
Specs say. 30-45psi is okay.

I did notice that I parked the truck, came inside for an hour before changing the fuel filter, came back outside and went to bleed the fuel pressure, and nothing. No pressure.
So seems like I'm leaking down somewhere.

 

[nitrodude]

Fuel filter change made no difference.

Still looking for solution to my hard starts