Manual Cam Chain Tensioner Install

[BTR]

2000 XLT 4DR 2WD. 4.0L SOHC JOB 1 (VIN E). 5-Speed Automatic O/D 5R55E. 158,000 miles.

Sharing some additional follow-up on my previous posts vis a vis installing and adjusting manual cam chain tensioners. Original installs (front and rear) were: engine idling, finger tight, back off by 1/4 turn, lock down. I still had some chain rattle, although GREATLY improved versus the hydraulic tensioners.

I decided to see if I could get rid of all of the rattle. I tightened both (front and rear) by 3/8 turn, and locked down. I still have a small amount of chain rattle on startup, but it's VERY little. At this point, I'm done messing with these. I don't want to overtighten them, and the remaining chain rattle is VERY little.

 

[410Fortune]

The Polaris is a two cylinder 999cc dual overhead cam engine… the chains are actually pretty long though… likely similar in length to our cassettes

My advice is don’t overthink it
You are just pressing the guide up against the chain and to remove slack and then lock it down… easy to overthink

Sparks racing had the best instructions
The first time I did this I removed valve covers I found tdc I locked down the cams then removed the factory tensioner and install the manual (polaris engine)
That was waaaaay overkill
Not necessary.
The next few times (and how I do it now) I just removed the factory, installed the manual, tightened finger tight w socket, one more 1/4 turn and locked it down.
Worked perfect

 

[October]

Hello all, been reading a lot about these 4.0 sohc engines and have been bouncing between this forum and the ranger forum. I don't have an explorer but I do have a 2011 ranger with this engine in it and this is one post i had book marked. How is it holding up for ya'll? I am in process of pulling my motor out to replace all of the timing components and the manual chain tensioners is something I've been debating on doing.

 

[BTR]

Hello all, been reading a lot about these 4.0 sohc engines and have been bouncing between this forum and the ranger forum. I don't have an explorer but I do have a 2011 ranger with this engine in it and this is one post i had book marked. How is it holding up for ya'll? I am in process of pulling my motor out to replace all of the timing components and the manual chain tensioners is something I've been debating on doing.

I installed manual tensioners in both the front and rear of my 2000 Explorer 4.0L SOHC Job 1 engine with 158,000 miles. My wintertime startups were pretty loud. The manual tensioners definitely helped. However, even though it's now summer, I still have some startup rattle. It goes away quickly. I'm considering tweaking the tensioners' tightness... to make them tighter.

 

[410Fortune]

Everyone who goes to manual tensioners
Stays with manual tensioners
And then they go and tell all their friends why we all need manual tensioners

They eliminate pretty much all timing cassette noises if you install them before there is any significant wear or damage

With no noise you know your chains are never slack, and with the chains taught there is no out of time and no wear on the guides during startup

The last year of that ranger is one of the best years of the Ranger 2011 are sweeeeet trucks the sohc is dialed by them

 

[C420sailor]

I have a 2010 Ranger motor in my Ex, and still started to pick up startup rattle noises after about 160k miles. Even regularly replacing the hydraulic tensioners. Not sure why…but you’re right, definitely a better valvetrain than the earlier engines.

The mechanicals completely silenced it.