Does a 97 F150 V8 4.6L have a timing chain or belt? Whichever, when, if ever, does it need replacing? Thanks much--JB

 

two timeing chains one to each overhead cam i'm not sure about changing how many miles do you have on your 4.6?

 

108,000. Thanks.

 

I imagine you have heard the Nissan Pathfinder horror stories....where it costs a grand to change the timing belt, and if a timing belt blows....you're scr#$!d Our trucks have chains....and they also have auto tensioners....as such there is no service interval that I know of for them. Obviously if you ever had the engine apart for other reasons it would be something to look at, but I've read about guys on here with 300000miles and no mention of ever changing the timing chain. Hope this gives you some peace of mind. Phil

 

You should change it when it/they start making noise. Its not one of those 'maintenance' items, unless it is of poor quality from the factory. Some manf put a plastic or nylon coating on the teeth to quiet them down, but that wears off SOON and causes extra slack. Don't think thats the case with ford. I don't have an auto tensioner on mine, and its a single roller. I changed mine out for grins with a double roller timing set. There was about 1/2" play in the chain at 120,000. It also only took 3 hrs.....

I would say if you don't have valve timing issues, then leave it be.