Timing Drive Components: Installation

WARNING: This page is about a different car, the 2005 Lincoln LS. However, it is still accessible from the selected car via links, so may be relevant.

Install the LH variable camshaft timing (VCT) actuator and install a new bolt hand-tight. Use a wrench on the flats of the camshaft to hold it in position and tighten the bolt in 2 stages.
- Stage 1: Tighten the VCT actuator bolt to 20 Nm (15 lb-ft).
- Stage 2: Tighten an additional 90 degrees.
Fig 1: Installing LH Variable Camshaft Timing Actuator
Courtesy of FORD MOTOR CO.
Install the LH exhaust camshaft sprocket and install a new bolt hand-tight. Using a wrench on the flats of the camshaft, hold the camshaft in position and tighten the bolt in 2 stages.
- Stage 1: Tighten the exhaust camshaft sprocket bolt to 20 Nm (15 lb-ft).
- Stage 2: Tighten an additional 90 degrees.
Fig 2: Installing LH Exhaust Camshaft Sprocket
Courtesy of FORD MOTOR CO.
Install the RH variable camshaft timing (VCT) actuator and install a new bolt hand-tight. Using a wrench on the flats of the camshaft, hold the camshaft in position and tighten the bolt in 2 stages.
- Stage 1: Tighten the VCT actuator bolt to 20 Nm (15 lb-ft).
- Stage 2: Tighten an additional 90 degrees.
Fig 3: Installing RH Variable Camshaft Timing (VCT) Actuator
Courtesy of FORD MOTOR CO.
Install the RH exhaust camshaft sprocket and install a new bolt hand-tight. Using a wrench on the flats of the camshaft, hold the camshaft in position and tighten the bolt in 2 stages.
- Stage 1: Tighten the exhaust camshaft sprocket bolt to 20 Nm (15 lb-ft).
- Stage 2: Tighten an additional 90 degrees.
Fig 4: Installing RH Exhaust Camshaft Sprocket
Courtesy of FORD MOTOR CO.
With the 2 key ways facing forward, install the crankshaft sprockets.

Fig 5: Installing Crankshaft Sprockets
Courtesy of FORD MOTOR CO.
If timing marks in the timing chains are not evident, use a permanent-type marker to mark the crankshaft and camshaft timing marks on the LH and RH timing chains.
1. Mark any link to use as the exhaust camshaft timing mark.
2. Starting with the exhaust camshaft timing mark, count 16 links and mark the link as the intake camshaft sprocket timing mark.
3. Starting with the intake camshaft timing mark, count 25 links and mark the link as the crankshaft sprocket timing mark.
Fig 6: Identifying Crankshaft Sprocket Timing Marks
Courtesy of FORD MOTOR CO.
Verify that the crankshaft keyway is in the 11 o'clock position.

Fig 7: Locating Crankshaft Keyway At 11 O'Clock Position
Courtesy of FORD MOTOR CO.

CAUTION: The crankshaft keyway must remain in the 11 o'clock position until the cams are located in the NEUTRAL position, or damage to the valves can occur.

Fig 8: Rotating LH And RH Intake And Exhaust Camshafts

Courtesy of FORD MOTOR CO.

Rotate the LH and RH intake and exhaust camshafts to locate them in their NEUTRAL positions.

NOTE: The gold-colored bolt (No. 2 location) must be installed in its original location.

Fig 9: Installing LH VCT Solenoid Housing Assembly

Courtesy of FORD MOTOR CO.

Install the LH VCT solenoid housing assembly and hand-tighten the bolts.
- Tighten in the sequence shown to 25 Nm (18 lb-ft).
Install the LH timing chain, aligning the copper (or marked) link with the marks on the camshaft and crankshaft sprockets.

Fig 10: Aligning Copper (Or Marked) Link With Marks On Camshaft And Crankshaft Sprockets
Courtesy of FORD MOTOR CO.
Install the LH timing chain tensioner arm.

Fig 11: Installing LH Timing Chain Tensioner Arm
Courtesy of FORD MOTOR CO.

NOTE: Be sure to position the tensioner so that the tensioner piston is fully engaged in the tensioner arm.

Fig 12: Installing LH Timing Chain Tensioner And Bolts

Courtesy of FORD MOTOR CO.

Install the LH timing chain tensioner and bolts.
Remove the wire or paper clip from the tensioner.

Fig 13: Identifying Wire Or Paper Clip At Tensioner
Courtesy of FORD MOTOR CO.
Rotate the crankshaft clockwise and position the keyway at the 3 o'clock position for RH timing chain installation.

Fig 14: Positioning Keyway At 3 O'Clock Position For RH Timing Chain Installation
Courtesy of FORD MOTOR CO.

Fig 15: Aligning Timing Marks On Camshaft And Crankshaft Sprockets
Courtesy of FORD MOTOR CO.
Verify that the copper (or marked) links on the LH timing chain are in alignment with the timing marks on the camshaft and crankshaft sprockets.
Install the RH VCT solenoid housing assembly and hand-tighten the bolts.
- Tighten in the sequence shown to 25 Nm (18 lb-ft).
Fig 16: Installing RH VCT Solenoid Housing Assembly
Courtesy of FORD MOTOR CO.
Install the RH timing chain, aligning the copper or (marked) links with the marks on the camshaft and crankshaft sprockets.

Fig 17: Aligning Copper Or (Marked) Links With Marks On Camshaft And Crankshaft Sprockets
Courtesy of FORD MOTOR CO.
Install the RH timing chain tensioner arm.

Fig 18: Installing RH Timing Chain Tensioner Arm
Courtesy of FORD MOTOR CO.
Install the RH timing chain tensioner and bolts.

Fig 19: Installing RH Timing Chain Tensioner And Bolts
Courtesy of FORD MOTOR CO.
Remove the wire or paper clip from the RH timing chain tensioner.

Fig 20: Removing Wire Or Paper Clip From RH Timing Chain Tensioner
Courtesy of FORD MOTOR CO.
Rotate the crankshaft counterclockwise to position the crankshaft keyway to the 11 o'clock position.

Fig 21: Positioning Crankshaft Keyway To 11 O'Clock Position
Courtesy of FORD MOTOR CO.

Fig 22: Verifying Correct Timing Drive Component
Courtesy of FORD MOTOR CO.

CAUTION: Failure to verify correct timing drive component alignment will result in severe engine damage.

Verify that the timing component alignment is correct.
1. There should be 14 chain links between the exhaust and intake camshaft timing marks.
2. There should be 23 chain links between the camshaft and crankshaft timing marks.
3. There should be 28 chain links between the camshaft and crankshaft timing marks.
Remove the crankshaft damper bolt and washer.

Fig 23: Identifying Timing Component Alignment
Courtesy of FORD MOTOR CO.

CAUTION: This pulse wheel is used with several different engines. Install the pulse wheel with the keyway in the slot stamped "20-25-30 DAMB 30 RFF" only. This slot is also marked with an orange paint mark and aligns with the missing tooth in the trigger wheel.

Fig 24: Identifying Ignition Pulse Wheel

Courtesy of FORD MOTOR CO.

Install the ignition pulse wheel using the orange marked keyway slot and the teeth facing forward.
If necessary, install new variable camshaft timing (VCT) system oil filters. For additional information, refer to VARIABLE CAMSHAFT TIMING (VCT) SYSTEM OIL FILTER in this article .
Install the engine front cover. For additional information, refer to ENGINE FRONT COVER in this article .