Timing chain too tight?

[BrandonB]

I'm in the process of putting a new timing chain kit on my 4.6. The passenger side went on OK, it seems pretty tight against the tensioner before I even pull the pin but it went together OK. The drivers side is so tight I can't even get the tensioner installed. I put the top guide on the dowel and then try to push it down to put the tensioner on, won't go far enough. Any suggestions?

I ordered my timing chains from Rock Auto - ULTRAPOWER 90387SH

 

[tonydiv]

Is that upper tensioner on the right side of the photo installed upside down?

Can anyone chime in here?

 

[BrandonB]

I think I might have the two tensioner paddles backwards. Noticed that after staring at the pictures for awhile


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[tonydiv]

It's just that that one on the upper right isn't touching the chain at the top and the angle of the chain on the bottom seems really sharp.

 

[FordandPolaris]

https://www.google.com/search?q=for...F666095-how-build-5-4-mod-motor.html;1024;681

Seems to me like they are on the right way...

Its almost like the chain on the right is shorter than the one on the left... I don't know if they are supposed to be different lengths in the first place though. I would think they would be to keep timing exactly the same but I could be missing something too.

 

[stamp11127]

Check the pivot point on the driver side. The guide is closer to the crank than the passenger side by the angle of the pic.

 

[tonydiv]

Not sure if it means anything, but it also looks like in all the pictures online, that the sprocket with the holes in it is on the passenger side and the solid sprocket is on the drivers.

I couldn't find anything that tells the number of links on each side.

 

[bedrck46]

from the service manual

also check on rockauto the right side sprocket is the one with the holes

 

[toms89]

Just so you know the "right side" of the motor is the passenger side and the "left" is the drivers side. It's contrary to what you might assume as you view it from the front. Make sure you have all the timing gear on the correct side.

My guess is you have the tensioner on the incorrect side or its the wrong part for your application. There are many variations of these modular motors. 4.6, 5.4, 2v, 3v, 4v, and combinations thereof...

 

[BrandonB]

I know it's not the cam sprockets, they don't come off on my engine - they appear to be pressed on. The crank sprocket I replaced with the one that came in the timing kit from Rock Auto, it appears to be the exact same on both sides and is a solid piece unlike the original 2-piece.

Unfortunately didn't get a chance today to swap the tensioner paddles to see if that made a difference. Hopefully can find a few minutes tomorrow do it.

 

[01yellerCobra]

Looks like your tensioner is on the correct side. Are all the followers still in place? When we did my wife's car we had to back the crank off a little to get slack in the chain. All the followers were in place and were keeping the cam from being exactly where I needed it.

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[BrandonB]

Update -- I had the tensioner guides swapped. Switched them around and it went together pretty quick. Now I just need to flush the pan ( got some coolant in it.. ) and lube it up and slap it back together.

It was definitely time to replace the timing kit..

Both sides looked like this

The tensioners themselves were also ground down.