I am installing a used motor in my truck soon it has 80 thousand miles..does any know how long the timeing chains last or when should you replace them ..are they good for 2 hundred thousand miles has anyone had one break on them ..thanks

 

I've never seen one or heard of one breaking on the 4.2l. I'd be more concerned with the gaskets before that.

 

thanks man,,just wondering if i should change the chain before i put the engine in,i guess i should pull off the cover and check it same time change the gasket..

 

80K miles? that thing hasnt even worn in yet

 

The timing chain on a 4.2 should last the life of the engine. You would be much better off changing the intake manifold and front cover gaskets if you do anything - and if the engine is out of a 97 or 98 I would consider that mandatory.

 

Thanks yes it is a 98 engine,its going in a 97 150.I know ford fixed the gasket troubles latter on just dont know the date .the engine runs very well, i can get the date off the engine if that would help to see if it was updated and if it has the new gaskets..i think ford fixed the gasket troubles in late 98..ty

 

Look for an engine build date after 1/15/98 (I think). The date will be on a sticker on the driver's side valve cover.

 

Thank you much for helping me save labor and a few bucks.I checked the engine its a little different than my 97 motor vac lines on the back on the intake,ford valve covers,ect.I checked the sticker it says 1-26-98 exxex engine winsor,I hope u are sure on the date i dont know how to find out,my old 97 engine has a sticker that says reman by ford .thanks if you how i can find out for sure please let me know..ty again

 

I can't totally confirm it, but a Google search came up with the first improved gasket builds were on 1/16/98.

 

I've done lots of research on this and the date glc gave is correct. If the build date is later than 1/15/98 you are good. When I had my gaskets fixed a few years ago I asked them to check the timing chain and they said it was in great shape. Truck had about 245000 kms on it at the time.

 

Thank u.I am good then,, i still have to work out some small proublems wireing and vac lines ect.I got engine out of a wreak for 200.00 bucks had the 5 speed trans, i got the auto trans in mine, the engine has some extra pulleys up front for the belt dont know why like 8 ,,hope the flex plate converter bolts up to the crank with no troubles ..changing the crank seal too ,,ty

 

Timing chain change very rarely break but what tends to happen is that the guides and the tensioners wear out causing the chain to slip resulting in catastrophic engine damage Motors equipped with con timing chains have very little valve clearance so when the chain slips you will be lucky if you don't bend every valve in the motor

 

Just for fun, you might want to check the keyway of the harmonic balancer or crankshaft pulley. There are several posts on this site about that keyway wearing and causing the timing to be off on high mileage engines.

 

You know you guys are replying to a 7 year old thread? I'd assume the original poster changed the engine a long time ago and who knows if he even still has the truck?

 

that's fine if it's old it still pops up u Der certain search conditions and I'd rather have the accurate information out there then have someone learn the hard way cause a bunch people are giving bad info