To change timing chain or not change it, that is the question

Badd GT

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That's always an option but with the passage of time, good low mileage engines are going to become more scarce. At least the OP's original engine will be "numbers matching" and that could be important if the car is going to be a future collectible.

I have the engine that came in mine over in the corner of the garage and didnt put a lot of time into it, but couldn't find any "numbers matching" markings on it. Do you think they still put the VIN on the block and heads?
 

Dino Dino Bambino

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The last eight digits of the VIN number are stamped on the driver's side of the block near the rear just above the oil pan rail. You might need to clean the dirt away to see the etching.
 

Pentalab

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2008 Bullitt, a future collectible ? I find that hard to believe, but may well be wrong.
 

msvela448

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I've had three different blocks and I've never seen the VIN digits on the block... At least not on late model mustangs.
The last eight digits of the VIN number are stamped on the driver's side of the block near the rear just above the oil pan rail. You might need to clean the dirt away to see the etching.

Sent from my SM-G965U using Tapatalk
 

Dino Dino Bambino

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2008 Bullitt, a future collectible ? I find that hard to believe, but may well be wrong.

Why not? They were only produced in limited numbers and Dark Highland Green examples will definitely be more desirable.

I've had three different blocks and I've never seen the VIN digits on the block... At least not on late model mustangs.

They're definitely stamped on my block. Whether that was done from the factory or done by a previous owner I don't know.
 
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2526Bullitt

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I bought the camphaser locking tool ( 303-1046) but I'm having trouble finding the crankshaft locking tool. I could easily find the crankshaft looking tool for the 5.4L 3v but not for the 4.6L 3v ; are interchangeable? Part number OTC 6024
 

Pentalab

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Why not? They were only produced in limited numbers and Dark Highland Green examples will definitely be more desirable.

Alex says otherwise. Those 2002 Bullitts are not worth any more than a plane jane GT. Same deal with the 2008/9 bullitt. This guy is cheap entertainment.
He gets into the Bullitt / California special etc, part way into the u tube video. (4:26) and also (6:18)

 

Dino Dino Bambino

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The 2001 Bullittts are less desirable than the 2008 versions so they'll never achieve the same value, but values of modern collectibles usually only begin to rise when they're past 30 years old.
 

TANN3R_

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Hello,
I apologize in advance for my English. I'm from Europe and I don't use English much ..

I just took my timing cover off to check the infamous chain tensioners. I'm glad I did it, bacause the gasket on both tensioners is blown..

I'm going to use the Melling oem plastic style tensioners (I'm not a big fan of ratchet style tensioners), maybe change both chains too.

So my questions is: how qualite Melling timing part is? (chains, tensioners..) Did you replace the chains straight away or only tensioners?

The car have only 80k miles today, so except the blown gasket under tensioners, timing components just look in good shape. Only little bit of play on chain at phasers. So in my opinion it is better to keep the original Ford phasers in place.

Tensioner on driver site:
IMG_20210207_172600.jpg

I have similar play on chain, like in this video:
 
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Dino Dino Bambino

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I'd only use Ford Performance parts for the valvetrain (timing chains, tensioners, guides, cam phasers, cam followers, and lash adjusters). Since you're going to replace the first three items anyway, replacing the phasers (with new phaser bolts) would also be a good idea.
Another one of those "while you're there" items you could replace is the oil pump (Melling). Since it'll already be exposed, you'd just need to drop the oil pan to remove it together with the pickup tube and strainer.
 

TANN3R_

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Thank you.

I would like to stay back from "while you're there":) Because that's how I can exchange everything right away ..

Replacing just tensioners and seals will cost me about 200 USD, but the whole timing kit (without oil pump) with tools is at least 1400 USD (post and charges to Europe..). I thing that is not worth it. With my year mileage it will tooks me 10 years to least somewhere around 140k miles (where it will be good to change complete timing).
On the other hand, this job takes about a day, so it's not a big problem for me to do it again.

Now I need (want) replace other components like suspension, shaft etc. So it is hard to tell, but I want to keep the price low:(

BTW. the engine runs just fine, quiet and smooth. I never noticed any problems with valvetrain, never get a start up rattle or other symptoms of bad timing tensioners. I just do some maintenance, because I do not driving this car thru the winter. So complete timing will be a little over my budget.

I was asking about Melling parts just because they easy for me to get it from proven shop. But if anyone has a bad experience with Melling, I'll try to get an original Ford parts.
 

eighty6gt

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I use a lot of melling parts, they are solid, just fix what is broken (and I can't believe what I'm seeing, that is very odd,)

I took my 4.6 apart to put F150 5.0 rods in it and all of the parts I had already purchased (ford racing timing kit, etc..) I honestly felt bad throwing the stock stuff away. It all appeared clean and new with no wear. Yes, even the nylon on the tensioners.

I expect that when the car is running there's no bad noise, but possibly on startup you may have heard something. Even with those gaskets not so great, the only risk is enough oil would be lost there to affect lubrication elsewhere. Those tensioners would still work, esp. up from idle.
 

Dino Dino Bambino

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That is not for the 3V. This is the right kit I think. But don't know if it is original Ford parts or aftermarket:

https://www.ebay.com/itm/Ford-4-6L-...2&hash=item2cfed07c79:g:FKYAAOSw3I9d8mw4#rwid

Yes, that's the correct Ford Performance kit for the 4.6 3V (Part # M-6004-463V) and is exactly what @TANN3R_ needs. It also includes the phasers plus phaser bolts so it's a complete front cam drive package.
The part no. M-6004-A464 is for the '96-'04 4.6 4V engines. The last three digits of the part # gives you the clue.
 

Midlife Crises

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This is a waste of money
Bullshit.
If your putting cams in it give it a new Ford Performance timing set. Also lash adjusters and cam followers. i completely overhauled my engine at 18,000 miles. Nothing was worn out or about to come apart but I knew I was going to beat the hell out of it. Just wasting money!

3272C52E-5355-4D68-BABB-0E653DD5BB49.jpeg
 

eighty6gt

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from your anecdote: first you argued against me, then proved my point..

they are the same parts
the ones in the engine are quite literally tested to be good
the ones in the ford racing package, probably good, but a fraction of a chance they are junk due to the realities of mass production. Plus the risk of R&R.
 

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