Recommended Timing Chain Kit - Lots to choose from?

[Johnny Glenn]

Thanks for Looking In -- Wondering what kit or kits are the most recommended. Unfortunately I've tried some of the "cheaper" kits on ebay and several have failed w/in 100's of miles. I thought AutoParts 4USA was a decent kit but two have recently failed quickly. I called Ford -- parts guy says they don't have a kit but sell parts individually. Would like to find a kit that I can buy with confidence......@ a fair price. THX!

 

[NICE59FORDF100]

I am assuming this is for the 4.0 SOHC v6 with timing chain rattle. The best thing I ever did when I retimed mine was buy all the parts from ford. I spent about 450 dollars and the truck is still running great. I have also used the 100 kit from ebay and the rattle started about a year later, so bang for buck, go with ford OEM on this

 

[Johnny Glenn]

I remarket a lot of 02-05 Explorers and the 4.0L rattle is always a bummer! I'll price all the parts w/ Ford -- though it's Ford parts that are the reason that the work is needed! Any other complete kits w/ a good reputation? THX

 

[2000StreetRod]

BorgWarner & Cloyes

The kits by Borg Warner and Cloyes have a good reputation but I found the cassette guides to be inferior to Ford's: SOHC V6 Timing Chain Parts Sources

 

[Johnny Glenn]

Thanks for the info -- Ford doesn't price the parts as a kit but rather per piece, at least at one Store I called. Prior poster mentioned 450 but a mechanic friend stated 700 for everyhting? Instead of replacing all the parts -- how about just replacing the worn or broken parts. Any advice on that? THX

 

[NICE59FORDF100]

I said 450 because I couldn't remember the exact price but I know it was around there. A kit does make things easier, but you can buy all the pieces individually too. any good ford parts guy will know what all you need and get you pricing

 

[2000StreetRod]

replacing worn parts

It used to be possible to purchase just the guide, or just the chain and sprockets from Ford. Now the entire cassette (guide, chain and sprockets) must be purchased as an assembly. In my opinion the sprockets are the most reliable. Unfortunately, wear patterns of the sprockets with the chains quickly develop so there is a good reason to replace both at the same time. The rationale is not valid for the guide assembly. However, since the engine is normally pulled to replace the rear cassette, and the replacement is labor intensive, it seems appropriate to replace all of the timing components at the time for a few hundred dollars more. I purchase my Ford components online from Tasca Parts. My local dealer never has what I need in stock, requires me to pay prior to it being ordered, I have to order the minimum quantity even if I only need one, and the prices are list. With Tasca I have to pay shipping costs, but I don't have to make two trips to the dealer (1st to order/pay, 2nd to pick up), I get the correct part, and the cost is less than list (usually enough to pay the shipping cost).

 

[Johnny Glenn]

On the Cloyes Kit -- They have a kit w/ a balance shaft and one without. Is there a difference between parts other than one not having the balance shaft? Also it seems the 02 models have a different timing set-up? Haven't been able to find a Cloyes Kit for the 4.0L -- anyone with info on this? Thanks!

 

[scdix50]

I used Preferred Components, Inc Kit from ebay. In 2011, I pulled the engine on my 2000 XLT W/160k. I saw the truck the other day, it sound just as good the day I put it back on the road. If I ever do another Ford engine I will used P.C.I. again.

 

[2000StreetRod]

updated parts

Ford recognized there were high failure rates with the early camshaft timing related components. There were various upgrades thru 2002. All of the upgrades available are incorporated in the 2002 and later engines. The old parts should no longer be available except as NOS (new old stock) on the internet. You should be aware that there were some casting changes in the 3rd or 4th (I can't remember which) generation engines that affected the internal alignment of the head to the block. On some engines it is very difficult to remove/install the cassette guides without removing the head.

 

[Johnny Glenn]

Good Info! The 4wd model kit comes with balance shaft parts and 2wd doesn't but is the rest of the kit the same?.... so you could use the 4wd kit on a 2wd minus using the balance shaft parts? THX

 

[2000StreetRod]

4wd kit

A complete 4WD kit will include the balance shaft chain tensioner, guide and possibly the crankshaft sprocket. The crankshaft sprocket for a 2WD is different than the 4WD unit because of the balance shaft chain.

Everything else in the 2WD kit will be the same as the 4WD kit.

 

[Johnny Glenn]

Thx -- Does the crankshaft sprocket often need replacing -- or can it be re-used if no apparent damage? I'm thinking of keeping a couple of 4wd kits on hand instead of several of each 4wd and 2wd. THX!

 

[2000StreetRod]

primary chain sprockets

Most kits do not include the primary chain sprockets (crankshaft & front jackshaft sprockets). The only reason I replaced mine was because I purchased a closed dealer primary kit at a bargain price. The primary chain sprockets should last 500K miles.

Be very careful when purchasing kits on eBay. Many sellers list the Cloyes or OEM interchange part numbers but the actual manufacturer will not be listed. I advise against purchasing a kit with the manufacturer listed as "aftermarket".

 

[Johnny Glenn]

Thanks for all the help. Somebody make a Sticky on this topic -- DO NOT USE CHEAP AFTERMARKET KITS!! I've been remarketing Explorers for several years and have made the mistake of using $80-$150 Kits to fix ones that were just too noisy and it has taken me awhile to figure out it wasn't the mechanics making a mistake sometimes but rather the junk parts! Sometimes they work but sometimes they don't and it is not worth the chance. It's very easy to choose a kit that says it's the same etc for $150 instead of buying one for $400but I wish I would have come across a post like this which said DONT DO IT!!....this is definitely one of those times; you really do need to spend more to get a much better product! I've had two "popular" cheap aftermarket kits come apart within a few hundred miles lately! As posted prior -- Ford, Cloyes, Melling, or comparably priced QUALITY kits only. Hard way to learn but hopefully this will help someone else not make this mistake! Thanks again for the advice!