Do I need a new timing chain?

Chassis has 223311 miles. Original owner claimed the engine was recently rebuilt. I didn't get the best price...but I did get a good deal.

Slowly replacing just about everything.

Was working on the RMS - second lap - shaved the first one...ordered two this time and got it on the third...now I have a feeling I put it in backwards. Might be another round.

Parts will be here by next weekend... probably be another week past that before I have time to tear into it.

-Mac
 
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A new chain will make you happy. With that much play in the chain the engine makes awful noises that most people don't recognize as chain. The 2.5 makes regular chain rattle, the 4.0 knocks and who cares about the 2.4?
 
Krusty_tub said:
Replaced mine today. Engine feels good now.
Click to expand...

Take any shortcuts or did you do the whole take the front end off?

All the YouTube videos show it being done with the engine out.

Squeezed parts out of Japanese cars...this one still looks easier that a 99 Toyota Sienna timing belt.

-Mac
 
There's absolutely no reason to take the engine out, I did mine with it in the Jeep. I left the water pump on, but I did pull the fan / shroud / radiator to make it easier.
If you're careful / lucky with the RTV, you can do it without dropping the oil pan... but I was neither and had to do the oil pan gasket again afterwards. Also, be careful with the bolts that go through the oil pan into the timing cover - they're very easy to strip.

Here's the level of access you should have with the belt drive and radiator removed:
VKCPUfo.jpg
 
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macleanflood said:
Take any shortcuts or did you do the whole take the front end off?

All the YouTube videos show it being done with the engine out.

Squeezed parts out of Japanese cars...this one still looks easier that a 99 Toyota Sienna timing belt.

-Mac
Click to expand...

With the engine out? That sounds like a lotta work 😆
List of parts I removed.

Fan, shroud, belt, water pump pulley, harmonic balancer and timing cover.

That's it, slammed new chain and gear set on and been driving it all day. Feels pretty good, pulls up long hills in 5th at 50 mph.
BTW, cam and crank bolts are 80 ft lbs...

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I just ordered mine too. I saw it was loose when I replaced my oil pan. Admittedly I was intimidated at the thought of replacing/messing with anything timing related. After watching a few tutorials I'm looking forward to it. I ordered a fan clutch too since I'll be in that area.
 
You can get both sprockets and the chain from mopar on rock auto for around $100. I don’t see the point in going with the aftermarket stuff at that price point.
 
I replaced my timing chain with a Melling.

Did the rear main for the third time.

Replaced the water pump and noticed the thermostat housing was leaking. I'm on my third gasket, second housing and fourth attempt to get that to stop gushing water.

New transmission installed. My HF transmission jack died in the middle of the install. Spent six hours with a floor jack horsing it around and got it installed. Tested it today and something wiggled loose on the throw out bearing and it's all coming out again tomorrow morning after I spend another couple hours trying to re-o ring the jack.

Fun times. Leaving for a 10 day trip to Montana in two days. Thought I would be done a week ago but didn't expect every job would have to be repeated six times for success.

-Mac
 
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