Timing Drive Components: Installation

WARNING: This page is about a different car, the 2012 Ford F550 Super Duty and 2012 Ford F450 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.

NOTE: If the components are to be reinstalled, they must be installed into their original locations or engine damage may occur.

NOTE: Camshaft shown in illustration installed to clarify camshaft roller follower position.

NOTE: Lubricate the camshaft roller followers with clean engine oil prior to installation.

Fig 1: Locating Identified Camshaft Roller Followers On RH Cylinder Head

Courtesy of FORD MOTOR CO.

Install only the identified camshaft roller followers onto the RH cylinder head.

NOTE: If the components are to be reinstalled, they must be installed into their original locations or engine damage may occur.

NOTE: Camshaft shown in illustration installed to clarify camshaft roller follower position.

NOTE: Lubricate the camshaft roller followers prior to installation.

Fig 2: Locating Camshaft Roller Followers On LH Cylinder Head

Courtesy of FORD MOTOR CO.

Install only the identified camshaft roller followers onto the LH cylinder head.
Install the LH and RH camshafts.
- Lubricate the camshaft and camshaft journals with clean engine oil prior to installation.
Install the LH and RH camshaft bearing caps in their original locations.
- Lubricate the camshaft bearing caps with clean engine oil.
- Position the front camshaft bearing cap.
- Position the remaining camshaft bearing caps.
- Install the 24 bolts loosely.
Tighten the 12 LH camshaft bearing cap bolts in 2 stages:
- Stage 1: Tighten to 8 Nm (71 lb-in) in the sequence shown in illustration.
- Stage 2: Tighten an additional 45 degrees.
Fig 3: Identifying LH Camshaft Bearing Cap Bolts Tightening Sequence
Courtesy of FORD MOTOR CO.
Tighten the 12 RH camshaft bearing cap bolts in 2 stages:
- Stage 1: Tighten to 8 Nm (71 lb-in) in the sequence shown in illustration.
- Stage 2: Tighten an additional 45 degrees.
Fig 4: Identifying Camshaft Bearing Cap Bolts Tightening Sequence
Courtesy of FORD MOTOR CO.
Install the balance shaft drive gear onto the LH camshaft.
Install both camshaft sprockets and camshaft sprocket bolts finger-tight.

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

NOTE: Prior to installation, inspect the tensioner-sealing bead for seal integrity. If cracks, tears, separation from the tensioner body or permanent compression of the seal bead is observed, install a new tensioner or engine damage may occur.

Fig 5: Compressing Tensioner Plunger Using Vise

Courtesy of FORD MOTOR CO.

Using a vise, compress the tensioner plunger.
Install the Hydraulic Chain Tensioner Retaining Clip on the tensioner to hold the plunger in during installation.

Fig 6: Locating Hydraulic Chain Tensioner Retaining Clip On Tensioner
Courtesy of FORD MOTOR CO.

NOTE: There are 61 links in each timing chain.

Fig 7: Locating Timing Chain Links Marks

Courtesy of FORD MOTOR CO.

If copper links are not visible, mark 2 links on one end and 1 link on the other end, and use as timing marks.
Install the timing chain guides and the 4 bolts.
- Tighten to 10 Nm (89 lb-in).
Fig 8: Locating Timing Chain Guides And Bolts
Courtesy of FORD MOTOR CO.
Preposition the camshafts in the following sequence.
1. Rotate the LH camshaft until the timing mark is approximately at 12 o'clock.
2. Rotate the RH camshaft until the timing mark is approximately at 11 o'clock.
Fig 9: Locating Camshaft Timing Marks
Courtesy of FORD MOTOR CO.

NOTE: Rotate the crankshaft counterclockwise only. Do not rotate past the position shown in illustration or severe piston and/or valve damage can occur.

Fig 10: Positioning Crankshaft With Crankshaft Holding Tool

Courtesy of FORD MOTOR CO.

Position the crankshaft with the Crankshaft Holding Tool, then remove the tool.
Install the crankshaft sprocket, making sure the flange faces forward.

Fig 11: Locating Crankshaft Sprocket
Courtesy of FORD MOTOR CO.
Install the lower end of the LH timing chain, aligning the timing marks.

Fig 12: Aligning Timing Mark On Outer Flange Of Crankshaft Sprocket With Single Copper Link On Chain
Courtesy of FORD MOTOR CO.

NOTE: Be sure the upper half of the timing chain is below the tensioner guide dowel.

Fig 13: Locating Camshaft Sprocket And Chain Links Timing Marks

Courtesy of FORD MOTOR CO.

Install the LH timing chain on the camshaft sprocket with the 2 chain (marked) links and the timing marks aligned.

NOTE: The LH timing chain tensioner arm has a bump near the dowel hole for identification.

Fig 14: Identifying Bolts, LH Timing Chain Tensioner And Tensioner Arm

Courtesy of FORD MOTOR CO.

Position the LH timing chain tensioner arm on the dowel pin and install the LH timing chain tensioner and the 2 bolts.
- Tighten to 25 Nm (18 lb-ft).

NOTE: Be sure the chain link and crankshaft sprocket timing marks are aligned.

NOTE: The lower half of the timing chain must be positioned above the dowel.

Fig 15: Aligning Chain Link And Crankshaft Sprocket Timing Marks

Courtesy of FORD MOTOR CO.

Install the RH (outer) timing chain on the crankshaft sprocket.
Position the timing chain on the camshaft sprocket. Make sure the 2 copper-colored (marked) links align with the camshaft sprocket timing mark.

Fig 16: Aligning Copper-Colored (Marked) Links With Camshaft Sprocket Timing Mark
Courtesy of FORD MOTOR CO.
Position the RH timing chain tensioner arm on the dowel pin and install the RH timing chain tensioner and the 2 bolts.
- Tighten to 25 Nm (18 lb-ft).
Fig 17: Locating RH Timing Chain Tensioner Arm, RH Timing Chain Tensioner And Bolts
Courtesy of FORD MOTOR CO.
Remove the Hydraulic Chain Tensioner Retaining Clips from the RH and LH timing chain tensioners.

Fig 18: Locating Hydraulic Chain Tensioner Retaining Clip
Courtesy of FORD MOTOR CO.
Check for correct alignment of all timing marks.

Fig 19: Checking For Correct Alignment Of All Timing Marks
Courtesy of FORD MOTOR CO.
Install the crankshaft sensor ring on the crankshaft.

Fig 20: Locating Crankshaft Sensor Ring
Courtesy of FORD MOTOR CO.

NOTE: Only use hand tools to tighten the camshaft sprocket bolt or damage may occur to the camshaft or camshaft sprocket.

Fig 21: Locating RH Camshaft Sprocket Bolt

Courtesy of FORD MOTOR CO.

Tighten the RH camshaft sprocket bolt in 2 stages:
- Stage 1: Tighten to 40 Nm (30 lb-ft).
- Stage 2: Tighten an additional 90 degrees.

NOTE: Only use hand tools to tighten the camshaft sprocket bolt or damage may occur to the camshaft or camshaft sprocket.

Fig 22: Locating LH Camshaft Sprocket Bolt

Courtesy of FORD MOTOR CO.

Tighten the LH camshaft sprocket bolt in 2 stages:
- Stage 1: Tighten to 40 Nm (30 lb-ft).
- Stage 2: Tighten an additional 90 degrees.
Rotate the crankshaft clockwise and position the crankshaft keyway at the 6 o'clock position.

Fig 23: Locating Crankshaft Keyway At 6 O'Clock Position
Courtesy of FORD MOTOR CO.
Remove the 2 bolts and the middle balance shaft bearing support and camshaft bearing cap assembly.

Fig 24: Identifying Bolts And Middle Balance Shaft Bearing Support And Camshaft Bearing Cap Assembly
Courtesy of FORD MOTOR CO.

NOTE: If the components are to be reinstalled, they must be installed into their original locations or damage to the engine may occur.

NOTE: Do not allow the valve keepers to fall off the valve or the valve may drop into the cylinder. If a valve drops into the cylinder, the cylinder head must be removed. For additional information, refer to Cylinder Head .

NOTE: It may be necessary to push the valve down while compressing the spring.

Fig 25: Installing Roller Follower

Courtesy of FORD MOTOR CO.

Using the Valve Spring Compressor, install the roller follower.
- Lubricate the camshaft roller follower with clean engine oil prior to installation.
Position the camshaft bearing cap and install the bolts in 2 stages:
- Stage 1: Tighten to 8 Nm (71 lb-in).
- Stage 2: Tighten an additional 45 degrees.
Fig 26: Identifying Bolts And Middle Balance Shaft Bearing Support And Camshaft Bearing Cap Assembly
Courtesy of FORD MOTOR CO.
Remove the 2 bolts and the rear balance shaft bearing support and camshaft bearing cap assembly.

Fig 27: Identifying Bolts And Rear Balance Shaft Bearing Support And Camshaft Bearing Cap Assembly
Courtesy of FORD MOTOR CO.

NOTE: If the components are to be reinstalled, they must be installed into their original locations or damage to the engine may occur.

NOTE: It may be necessary to push the valve down while compressing the spring.

Fig 28: Installing Roller Follower

Courtesy of FORD MOTOR CO.

Using the Valve Spring Compressor, install the roller follower.
- Lubricate the camshaft roller follower with clean engine oil prior to installation.
Position the camshaft bearing cap and install the bolts in 2 stages:
- Stage 1: Tighten to 8 Nm (71 lb-in).
- Stage 2: Tighten an additional 45 degrees.
Fig 29: Identifying Bolts And Rear Balance Shaft Bearing Support And Camshaft Bearing Cap Assembly
Courtesy of FORD MOTOR CO.

NOTE: If the components are to be reinstalled, they must be installed into their original locations or engine damage may occur.

NOTE: It may be necessary to push the valve down while compressing the spring.

Fig 30: Installing Camshaft Roller Followers

Courtesy of FORD MOTOR CO.

Using the Valve Spring Compressor, install all of the remaining camshaft roller followers.
- Lubricate the camshaft roller followers with clean engine oil prior to installation.
Rotate the crankshaft counterclockwise and position the crankshaft keyway at the 11 o'clock position.
Lubricate the balance shaft journals with clean engine oil.

NOTE: Camshaft sprocket removed from art for clarity.

Fig 31: Aligning Timing Mark On Balance Shaft With Camshaft Timing Mark

Courtesy of FORD MOTOR CO.

Position the balance shaft on the journals and align the timing mark on the balance shaft with the camshaft timing mark as shown in illustration.

NOTE: The balance shaft bearing caps must be installed into their original locations or engine damage may occur.

Fig 32: Identifying Balance Shaft Bearing Cap Bolts Tightening Sequence

Courtesy of FORD MOTOR CO.

Position the 3 balance shaft bearing caps and install the 6 bolts and tighten in the sequence shown in illustration.
- Tighten to 10 Nm (89 lb-in).
Install engine front cover. For additional information, refer to Engine Front Cover .