| Author | Message | ||
     Jason Urban (Geflackt) New Member Username: Geflackt Post Number: 30 Registered: 03-2003 |
Since I'm in replacing the intake seal, valve cover gaskets, and water pump, I figured I'd check the bumpstick for wear while I'm in there. This is a '95 LWB with the stock 4.2. Can I check by looking for discoloration or should I measure the lobes?? Anything else to take care of while I have this thing apart?? The thermostat, plugs, wires, coil, and cap are about a year old. Jason. | ||
| Paul T. Schram (Paulschram) Senior Member Username: Paulschram Post Number: 1848 Registered: 02-2002 |
Jason: You didn't say how much mileage this truck has, but if it has more than 100K, it's probably got some significant camshaft wear. You can visually inspect the cam when you pull the intake, but I suspect you are going to find a wear pattern indicative of heavy use. Ideally, you would measure the lift, but this is mostly academic after the mileage begins to increase. Bottom line, if your truck runs, don't worry about the cam unless you really want to replace it, then just do it! | ||
| Jason Urban (Geflackt) New Member Username: Geflackt Post Number: 31 Registered: 03-2003 |
Truck has about 116k miles on it. It gets less driving now that I have a 2nd car. Seems to be running OK for now. The front bearing on the water pump is all loose, so figured I'd better fix that before things fly apart. Doing the other items while in there, too. Jason. | ||
| Paul T. Schram (Paulschram) Senior Member Username: Paulschram Post Number: 1850 Registered: 02-2002 |
Jason: Usually, I am the one who says "While you're in there...", but this is one of those things where measuring the cam would only tell you how badly it has worn. By the mileage, we can safely assume that the camhas significant wear and the performance of the truck would be markedly improved with the replacement of the cam, but then, you'd be thinking the valves probably need work, then you'd think rings, and by the time you got done, you'd have a new engine... Now, the thing that we tend to ignore and I'm as guilty as the rest, is the cam chain and gear train... Maybe this fall, I'll get ambitious. Peace, Paul | ||
| Jason Urban (Geflackt) New Member Username: Geflackt Post Number: 32 Registered: 03-2003 |
I'm kind of afraid of the "while you're in there" items. Just did that on an old Alfa - what should have been a 2 week project turned into 3 months. The performance has actually been pretty good on the Rangie for the mileage. If I can get by on the current "build" for a while, that would be great. What's involved in the timing chain?? How often to these need to be replaced?? How can they be checked?? Or is that a job for when the motor is out?? Jason. | ||
| Paul T. Schram (Paulschram) Senior Member Username: Paulschram Post Number: 1851 Registered: 02-2002 |
Yes, my suggestions should always be "Peer Reviewed" before jumping headlong into something I suggest:-). Remember, my top-end rebuild (which was caused by pilot-error) took me right at a month and had many pilot-error induced cost overruns. Timing chain-removal of front end of engine. Some say to replace at 100K-usually by folks who've had them go out and take most of the engine with it. Checking-not really all that easy, it's another one of those "if you have that many miles,it's worn out" kinda things. It can be changed with the engine in the truck, however, access might be limited by the A/C condenser. My truck just went over 175K and I'm on borrowed time with the cam chain and gears. |
