ford explorer 1997 so hc v6

[stellastansfield]

urgent information needed . I have problems with timing chains , I can source allthe the parts that are needed from Ford Motor company but no one has the timing chain special tools to do this work as specified in manuals . My question is , Is it possible to succesfully do this operation without the stated equipment ? I am in South Africa the cost of shipping these tools is difficult and costly . Any information will be helpful information from local garages is not positive

please help

 

[1Aauto]

Welcome to the site

 

[2000StreetRod]

a little risky

Several members (including myself) have timed their camshafts without using the timing tool kit. Doing it without the tool kit is more complicated, less accurate and a little risky. Have you determined what needs to be replaced? See Timing chain rattle resolution process - SOHC V6. Maybe you'll get lucky and only need to replace the primary (crankshaft to jackshaft) tensioner and guide.

To replace the balance shaft chain tensioner assembly you will need to remove the block cradle although some members have been able to slip off the old pieces and slip on the new pieces without removing the cradle.

To replace the rear cassette it will be necessary to remove the engine or remove the transmission if you have a lift to work under.

To time the camshafts you need some way to tension the timing chain, hold the camshaft in the correct position, hold the crankshaft in the correct position while torquing the camshaft sprocket retaining bolt.

See my helpful threads for SOHC V6 related information.

 

[Sedition]

Top Dead Centre - South African Style

I most certainly believe it is possible to correctly time the SOHC V6 without the timing tools your manual calls for.

Firstly you must find TDC with piston #1 on the compression stroke. You will find a 0 degree mark on your harmonic balancer, line this up with the crank angle sensor bracket.

Now the camshafts have a slot in their ends, the smaller semi circle pointing downwards with the slot level across the mating surface of the head denotes TDC on the compression stroke.

You can attach Vice grips to the camshaft between the cam lobes to hold it in place.

Once you have installed your new timing chain componants, you can use a 6mm Hex Wrench in the slot to measure the distance between the bottom of the Hex Wrench to the mating surface of of the head on both sides of the camshaft to find exact TDC.

 

[2000StreetRod]

hold the sprocket

The right camshaft sprocket retaining bolt tightens in the counter-clockwise direction. The timing tool kit includes a tool to tension the timing chain (temporarily replaces the spring/hydraulic tensioner). If the tensioner tool is not used and the timing chain is not taught then when the camshaft sprocket retaining bolt is tightened the spring/hydraulic tensioner will compress allowing the camshaft sprocket to rotate relative to the camshaft unless the sprocket is held in position somehow. To check for accurate timing the timing chain must be taught (tensioner spring is too weak to make it taught) when the camshaft and the crankshaft are aligned correctly. One method I used to time my camshafts: I applied epoxy to the old tensioner so it couldn't move and used that as my "precision tensioner tool".

If you use this method I suggest using the old front tensioner instead of the rear. My rear one was just barely long enough to use in the front position.