Setting the timing

RYAN ROEMER

MEMBER
2004 FORD RANGER
2.3L
4 CYL
2WD
MANUAL
195,000 MILES

I've been drowning in this issue for months with this truck. I can't get it to start. It was rough running before I got the bright idea to change the head gasket. Now my timing is all messed up. I've looked and looked and maybe over looked and over thought the whole process to do it right. I've got the timing tools, cams are right, and the bottom of the weight is hitting the timing peg. Also, the 9th tooth is hitting the crank sensor. Maybe I got the chain wrong if that's possible or I'm missing a step? Not sure. But if anyone has any suggestions, please help.

6 Replies

ASEMASTER6371

MECHANIC
52,797 POSTS

Good afternoon,

Do you have the tool to lock the cams in place? Once you lock them, then set the crank at TDC. Then install the chain guides and tensioner.

What process did you use?

Roy

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Thursday, May 30th, 2019 AT 2:11 PM

RYAN ROEMER

MEMBER
4 POSTS

Then I guess I'm just trying to "allign" the cams instead of putting it in time. Does it matter how the chain goes on?

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Thursday, May 30th, 2019 AT 2:45 PM

ASEMASTER6371

MECHANIC
52,797 POSTS

Yes. Once you set the cams and the crank gear, set the right side guide and then the left. The final step is the tensioner.

Roy

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Thursday, May 30th, 2019 AT 3:08 PM

RYAN ROEMER

MEMBER
4 POSTS

Okay, done all that, now just sounds like a drill. Cleaned MAF and MAP sensor corroded in carbon. Everything's torqued to specs, etc. What am I possibly doing wrong? Really don't want to give up on a good truck ya know.

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Friday, May 31st, 2019 AT 1:52 AM

RYAN ROEMER

MEMBER
4 POSTS

No colored links or anything I need to line up? Or does the camshaft sprockets have to be a certain way? I feel like I'm messing up somewhere. Feel like an idiot honestly cause I can't get something so simple to work.