5.4L Timing Chain Set; CLoyes or Ford OEM?

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proftomda

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I used a Cloyes timing chain set, Motorcraft steel ratcheting tensioners from the earlier 2 valve engine, Motorcraft phasers and a Melling oil pump. That was 3 years ago and it purrs like a kitten.
 

WEDGE

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I used Cloyes timing components and a Melling oil pump. It's been two years now and no problems. Locked out the phasers too.
 

Franklin Jones

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Last year I used a Cloyes set on my wife’s Buick. Chain stretched within a year.
Spoke with my local mechanic - only one I trust, lets me provide my own parts, doesn’t fix more than I need, etc - and he reported that Cloyes used to be quality, but that has really diminished over the last 2-3 years.

I’d stay OEM on this one.
 

TobyU

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Last year I used a Cloyes set on my wife’s Buick. Chain stretched within a year.
Spoke with my local mechanic - only one I trust, lets me provide my own parts, doesn’t fix more than I need, etc - and he reported that Cloyes used to be quality, but that has really diminished over the last 2-3 years.

I’d stay OEM on this one.

Cloyes certainly use to be as good as you would even need, usually better.
Now, a lot of brands---I'm talking to you MOOG--- are not what they used to be.
Made in China by someone this year and who knows next.

The quality control usually consists of "Yep, that's a timing chain"
 

TDGFordGuy

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Well from what I've just read about fitment issues on various different vehicles, I'd say pay the diff, and go with Ford. It never ceases to amaze me how an aftermarket manufacturing company can have the Ford part right in front of their mug, copy it, and screw something up! It's too thick, too thin, the tightness on gears is wrong! Theirs interference with the block, something. It seems that if your making a clone of a part, then clone it. Nah go with Ford part, online theirs a lot of places to order from to save a $.

Sent from my N9131 using Tapatalk

He's not talking a cloned part from autozone... Cloyes make timing chains they claim to meet or beat OEM spec & quality. does anyone know? Price is about the same vs FoMoCo parts.
 

max78

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Just to bring some more life into this thread.

I have a full Melling 3-391SCC kit. It comes with ratcheting cast iron tensioners so there is no longer any possibility for them to blow a seal, or get slack. Ratcheting tensioners are fine for this application. They are only an issue on high HP manual transmissions where the chain can whip with aggressive gear changes.

I paired that kit with a Melling 360HV high volume pump.

Looking at all of the Melling parts compared to the originals that came off. I would go with the Motorcraft (Ford OEM) everything, but get the Melling cast tensioners. The Ford chain looks a lot stronger than the Melling ones. The guides were identical, but I still prefer OEM.

I did install the complete Melling kit however and have not had a single issue to report.

I have used Cloyes in other engines without issues.
 

WEDGE

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Just to bring some more life into this thread.

I have a full Melling 3-391SCC kit. It comes with ratcheting cast iron tensioners so there is no longer any possibility for them to blow a seal, or get slack. Ratcheting tensioners are fine for this application. They are only an issue on high HP manual transmissions where the chain can whip with aggressive gear changes.

I paired that kit with a Melling 360HV high volume pump.

Looking at all of the Melling parts compared to the originals that came off. I would go with the Motorcraft (Ford OEM) everything, but get the Melling cast tensioners. The Ford chain looks a lot stronger than the Melling ones. The guides were identical, but I still prefer OEM.

I did install the complete Melling kit however and have not had a single issue to report.

I have used Cloyes in other engines without issues.

I'm curious about the cast iron tensioners. I've got a 2010 5.4 3V and will be doing the timing job in the spring. Those tensioners don't have a gasket? They fit the 3V engine with no problems? Thanks!
 

max78

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I'm curious about the cast iron tensioners. I've got a 2010 5.4 3V and will be doing the timing job in the spring. Those tensioners don't have a gasket? They fit the 3V engine with no problems? Thanks!


You are correct, they do not have a gasket, I did put a little permatex gasket maker (dead old mechanics) on there as a just in case. They fit my 2009 just fine.
 

WEDGE

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You are correct, they do not have a gasket, I did put a little permatex gasket maker (dead old mechanics) on there as a just in case. They fit my 2009 just fine.

excellent, thank you. I'll be using those when I do my timing job
 

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