Need some confirmation ASAP on 5.0L CPS

[GCDMD]

Hey all,

So I finally (emphasize finally) got around to replacing the synch on my 5.0L. The install went quite well and I did the victory lap in my neighborhood with all signs pointing to success...except one thing. I inspected the CPS unit after my little skit around the neighborhood w/ one of my dental mirrors (don't worry, I have dedicated this one to shop use, not clinic use. ) and the clamp does not appear to be completely seated...aka, there is a space between the block and the clamp. Is this normal??
Is the synch supposed to fit absolutely flush w/ the block. Could someone pls take a pic of the synch installed w/ the clamp???
Thank you all!
Greg

 

[jremington59]

Are you saying that you replaced the Camshaft Positioning Sensor?

 

[GCDMD]

Are you saying that you replaced the Camshaft Positioning Sensor?

That is indeed what I am saying. The actual sensor (just the cap) was replaced along w/ the synchronizer, my question is if the synchronizer sits flush into the block receptacle? My camera just took a poop and died so I am currently charging the battery so I can better show what my question is. My only concern is that there is a small space between the hold-down clamp and the block itself, as if it were not completely seated. Is this normal or should it be flush w/ the block???
Thanks

 

[Mbrooks420]

Is the synch drive seated down fully to the block? Or is it just the clamp that doesn't seat? I will check my clamp in the morning, and post again. I have to check mine out in the morning anyways due to a coolant smell Is the synch drive a "Dorman" brand by any chance?

 

[GCDMD]

Is the synch drive seated down fully to the block? Or is it just the clamp that doesn't seat? I will check my clamp in the morning, and post again. I have to check mine out in the morning anyways due to a coolant smell Is the synch drive a "Dorman" brand by any chance?

There is a small lip (maybe 1-2mm) where the synch is above the housing, I'm not sure if this is normal. My main concern is actually the clamp, it is not fully seated against the block. Thanks for checking, I did not buy the Dorman as I had read on here (thanks for saving me the headache) that it is a pile. I ended up going motorcraft on everything. A little more costly, but I'd rather just do this once.

 

[Mbrooks420]

Nice on the Motorcraft stuff. Don't ask how I know about the dorman crap My clamp goes to the block, sorry I didn't post earlier but I didn't actually work at the shop today so no internet access all day.

 

[GCDMD]

Nice on the Motorcraft stuff. Don't ask how I know about the dorman crap My clamp goes to the block, sorry I didn't post earlier but I didn't actually work at the shop today so no internet access all day.

Sorry to hear about the Dorman, I've heard some real horror stories (NOT only from this board) about that particular unit. Most of the people I've talked with simply had pin failure but were able to save their motors, others weren't so lucky .
Thanks on letting me know, I guess I didn't get it fully seated?!?!? I guess it's back to the beginning on this project. I became suspicious when I heard a tweet-tweet sound when driving down the road after doing the repair. Hopefully it will be OK to reinstall...

 

[Mbrooks420]

I'd bet that it is seated. If it wasn't I think running the motor would force it to. Not sure if that'd be a good thing, but if it could sink in further I think it would, and then the clamp would be loose. I'll take a better look at mine. Mine might appear to not be in fully seated. I seem to recall it not looking quite right. Happened with the first sensor, but was due to a bad casting. Second one was a rebuilt Ford unit, and it dropped right in.

 

[GCDMD]

I'd bet that it is seated. If it wasn't I think running the motor would force it to. Not sure if that'd be a good thing, but if it could sink in further I think it would, and then the clamp would be loose. I'll take a better look at mine. Mine might appear to not be in fully seated. I seem to recall it not looking quite right. Happened with the first sensor, but was due to a bad casting. Second one was a rebuilt Ford unit, and it dropped right in.

I couldn't imagine that the engine would run if it weren't fully seated. The engine runs absolutely great, it's just that minor tweet tweet sound that makes me suspicious. Thanks for all of your help, I'll take a picture of it tomorrow morning and post it. What's so strange is that it felt like it slipped right in, no problem.

 

[GCDMD]

Sooo, I discovered my camera is a POS. The battery won't even take a charge anymore and the replacement battery is still on it's way- aka, no pics.
I actually just went ahead and redid the whole procedure. Once I took out the synch, I discovered there was some grime on the base of the orifice. Thinking that might have prevented if from fully seating , I cleaned everything up to the point of absurdity and reinstalled the unit. Reinstalled, I took it for a test run and....it ran great but still had a slight squeeky noise that was only noticeable when driving next to buildings or cars parked on the street. the noise only arises when in motion and does not appear RPM-dependent. As a test, I accelerated up to 25mph and proceeded to throw it in neutral and shut down the engine....noise was still there. Based on this, I'm now thinking bearings or stuck caliper.
One thing i did do differently this time was aligning the arrow almost perfectly straight ahead, as opposed to slightly right last time. Can't really tell a difference in drivability...