Timing Drive Components: Installation

WARNING: This page is about a different car, the 2013 Ford F-350 Super Duty and 2013 Ford F-250 Super Duty. However, it is still accessible from the selected car via links, so may be relevant.

NOTE: Timing chain procedures must be followed exactly or damage to valves and pistons will result.

Using a small pick, carefully push the tensioner rack pawl retainer away from the rack pawl and compress the tensioner plunger and rack using a vise.

Fig 1: Pushing Tensioner Rack Pawl Retainer Away From Rack Pawl And Compress Tensioner Plunger And Rack Using Vise
Courtesy of FORD MOTOR CO.
Install a small pick into the tensioner to hold the rack pawl and plunger in the seated position for tensioner installation.

Fig 2: Installing Pick Into Tensioner
Courtesy of FORD MOTOR CO.
Remove the tensioner from the vise.
If the blue links are not visible, mark 2 links on each end, and use as timing marks.

Fig 3: Locating Timing Marks
Courtesy of FORD MOTOR CO.
NOTE: Make sure the upper half of the timing chain is below the tensioner arm dowel and above the chain guide pin.

Position the upper end of the LH (inner) timing chain on the LH camshaft phaser and sprocket, aligning the timing mark on the outer flange of the camshaft phaser and sprocket with the single blue (marked) link on the chain.

Fig 4: Locating Timing Mark On Outer Flange Of Camshaft Phaser And Sprocket
Courtesy of FORD MOTOR CO.
Position the lower end of the LH (inner) timing chain on the crankshaft sprocket, aligning the timing mark on the outer flange of the crankshaft sprocket with the single blue (marked) link on the chain and install the crankshaft sprocket onto the crankshaft and verify the crankshaft keyway is at the 11 o'clock position.

Fig 5: Locating Timing Mark On Outer Flange Of Crankshaft Sprocket
Courtesy of FORD MOTOR CO.
Install the LH timing chain tensioner arm.

Fig 6: Locating LH Timing Chain Tensioner Arm
Courtesy of FORD MOTOR CO.
Position the LH timing chain tensioner and install the 2 bolts in 2 stages.
- Stage 1: Tighten to 10 Nm (89 lb-in).
- Stage 2: Tighten an additional 45 degrees.
  
  Fig 7: Locating LH Timing Chain Tensioner Bolts
  Courtesy of FORD MOTOR CO.
Position the LH timing chain guide and install the bolt in 2 stages.
- Stage 1: Tighten to 10 Nm (89 lb-in).
- Stage 2: Tighten an additional 45 degrees.
  
  Fig 8: Locating Bolt And LH Timing Chain Guide
  Courtesy of FORD MOTOR CO.
Remove the retaining clip from the LH timing chain tensioner.
Position the lower end of the RH (outer) timing chain on the crankshaft sprocket, aligning the timing mark on the sprocket with the single blue (marked) chain link.

Fig 9: Locating Timing Mark On Sprocket With Single Blue Chain Link
Courtesy of FORD MOTOR CO.
Position the upper end of the RH (outer) timing chain on the RH camshaft phaser and sprocket, aligning the timing mark on the outer flange of the camshaft phaser and sprocket with the single blue (marked) link on the chain.

Fig 10: Locating Timing Mark On Outer Flange Of Camshaft Phaser And Sprocket
Courtesy of FORD MOTOR CO.
Position the RH timing chain tensioner arm on the dowel pin and the RH timing chain tensioner and install the 2 bolts in 2 stages.
- Stage 1: Tighten to 10 Nm (89 lb-in).
- Stage 2: Tighten an additional 45 degrees.
  
  Fig 11: Locating RH Timing Chain Tensioner Arm And Bolts
  Courtesy of FORD MOTOR CO.
Position the RH timing chain guide and install the bolt in 2 stages.
- Stage 1: Tighten to 10 Nm (89 lb-in).
- Stage 2: Tighten an additional 45 degrees.
  
  Fig 12: Locating RH Timing Chain Guide Bolt
  Courtesy of FORD MOTOR CO.
Remove the retaining clip from the RH timing chain tensioner.
As a post-check, verify correct alignment of all timing marks.

Fig 13: Locating Timing Chain Timing Marks
Courtesy of FORD MOTOR CO.
Lubricate the rocker arm shaft-to-valve tip and rocker arm-to-camshaft lobe contact area with clean engine oil prior to installation.
Rotate the engine clockwise until the No. 1 cylinder camshaft intake lobe is positioned so that the intake valve would be fully opened.
Position the LH intake rocker arm shaft assembly and install the bolts finger-tight.
Tighten the 10 LH intake rocker arm shaft assembly bolts in the sequence shown in illustration, in 3 stages.
- Stage 1: Tighten to 10 Nm (89 lb-in).
- Stage 2: Tighten to 20 Nm (177 lb-in).
- Stage 3: Tighten an additional 60 degrees.
  
  Fig 14: Identifying LH Intake Rocker Arm Shaft Assembly Bolts Tightening Sequence
  Courtesy of FORD MOTOR CO.
Rotate the engine clockwise until the No. 1 cylinder camshaft exhaust lobe is positioned so that the exhaust valve would be fully opened.
Position the LH exhaust rocker arm shaft assembly and install the bolts finger-tight.
Tighten the 10 LH exhaust rocker arm shaft assembly bolts in the sequence shown in illustration, in 3 stages.
- Stage 1: Tighten to 10 Nm (89 lb-in).
- Stage 2: Tighten to 20 Nm (177 lb-in).
- Stage 3: Tighten an additional 60 degrees.
  
  Fig 15: Identifying LH Exhaust Rocker Arm Shaft Assembly Bolts Tightening Sequence
  Courtesy of FORD MOTOR CO.
Rotate the engine clockwise until the No. 1 cylinder camshaft intake lobe is positioned so that the intake valve would be fully closed.
Position the RH intake rocker arm shaft assembly and install the bolts finger-tight.
Tighten the 10 RH intake rocker arm shaft assembly bolts in the sequence shown in illustration, in 3 stages.
- Stage 1: Tighten to 10 Nm (89 lb-in).
- Stage 2: Tighten to 20 Nm (177 lb-in).
- Stage 3: Tighten an additional 60 degrees.
  
  Fig 16: Identifying RH Intake Rocker Arm Shaft Assembly Bolts Tightening Sequence
  Courtesy of FORD MOTOR CO.
Rotate the engine clockwise until the No. 1 cylinder camshaft exhaust lobe is positioned so that the exhaust valve would be fully closed.
Position the RH exhaust rocker arm shaft assembly and install the bolts finger-tight.
Tighten the 10 RH exhaust rocker arm shaft assembly bolts in the sequence shown in illustration, in 3 stages.
- Stage 1: Tighten to 10 Nm (89 lb-in).
- Stage 2: Tighten to 20 Nm (177 lb-in).
- Stage 3: Tighten an additional 60 degrees.
  
  Fig 17: Identifying RH Exhaust Rocker Arm Shaft Assembly Bolts Tightening Sequence
  Courtesy of FORD MOTOR CO.
NOTE: Only use hand tools when removing or installing the spark plugs or damage can occur to the cylinder head or spark plug.

Install the lower 8 spark plugs.
- Tighten to 18 Nm (159 lb-in).
Connect the 8 ignition wires to the lower 8 spark plugs.
- Apply a light coat of dielectric compound to the inside of the ignition wire boots prior to installation.
Install the engine front cover. For additional information, refer to ENGINE FRONT COVER .