Timing Chain: Service and Repair

Fig. 8 Cylinder block components exploded view:

Fig. 9 Valve timing mark alignment:

REMOVAL

1. Disconnect battery ground cable and remove accessory drive belts.
2. Remove engine cooling fan, fan hub and fan shroud.
3. Remove crankshaft damper hub bolt, then the damper, using suitable puller.
4. Remove alternator bracket assembly and position alternator aside.
5. Remove bolts securing oil pan to timing cover and timing cover to block, then the timing cover and crankshaft oil slinger, Fig. 8.
6. Rotate crankshaft until zero degree mark on crankshaft sprocket is aligned with timing mark on camshaft sprocket (A), Fig. 9.
7. Remove camshaft sprocket retaining bolt, then remove timing chain and sprockets as an assembly.
8. Cut off oil pan side gaskets flush with engine block and remove ends of gaskets.
9. Pry oil seal from timing cover using suitable lever.
10. Clean all old gasket material from block, timing cover and front of oil pan.

Fig. 10 Positioning timing chain tensioner in the unlock position:

Fig. 11 Timing chain installation check:

Fig. 12 Using tool J-22248 to align timing case cover:

Fig. 13 Installing timing case cover front seal:

INSTALLATION

1. Rotate lever on timing chain tensioner, Fig. 10, to unlocked position, pull tensioner block toward tensioner to compress spring, then rotate lever up to locked position.
2. Position cam and crankshaft sprockets in timing chain with timing marks aligned, then mount assembly on engine. Install camshaft sprocket retaining bolt and torque bolt to 50 ft. lbs. To verify proper installation of timing chain and gears, rotate crankshaft to position camshaft sprocket timing mark approximately at 1:00 o'clock position, which should position the tooth adjacent to the crankshaft sprocket mark in mesh with the chain at the 3 o'clock position, Fig. 11. With sprockets aligned in this position, count the number of chain pins between the timing marks on both sprockets. If assembly is properly installed, there will be 20 pins between the timing marks.
3. Apply suitable sealing compound to both sides of timing cover gasket and position gasket on block.
4. Cut end tabs off replacement oil pan side gaskets to correspond to those cut from original gasket, then cement end tabs to oil pan.
5. Coat front pan seal end tabs with RTV sealer and apply sealer to pan side rail gasket joints, then install end seal on timing case cover.
6. Apply engine oil to the end seal/oil pan contact surface, install oil slinger, then position timing cover on block and install retaining bolts hand tight.
7. Install alignment tool J-22248 or equivalent in the timing cover seal opening, Fig. 12, then torque cover to block bolts to 5 ft. lbs. and oil pan bolts to 7 ft. lbs.
8. Remove alignment tool from cover, mount new oil seal on tool with seal lip facing out and coat outer surface of seal with suitable sealer.
9. Lightly coat crankshaft with engine oil, position tool over end of crankshaft and install screw J-9163-2 into tool and thread screw into crankshaft, Fig. 13.
10. Hold screw and tighten nut until body of installer contacts timing cover, then remove tool assembly.
11. Reverse remaining procedure to complete installation.