I just bought a 97 F150 that was hammering like crazy, so I pulled the engine and found a bent rod and broken piston. Anyway, I'm trying to figure out everything so when it is time to put the motor back, I'll know what I am doing. So my first question is how do you set the timing? Any special tools required? Detailed explanations would be greatly appreciated. Thanks in Advanced.


Jeremy

 

Hi there,
what size engine is it?

 

Sorry, I guess I should have put said that earlier. It is a 4.2L.

 

I guess I should have also asked if it's ignition timing or cam timing you're wondering about

 

I'm not real sure, the only engines I've ever worked on were chevys. The thing is, I've got all everything pulled and out, and I just don't know if when it's time to put it all back together, do I just bolt everything up, or am I going to need to align something?
I'm assuming since you asked that I am going to have to set both, so I guess I need to know a little about both ignition and cam timing.

 

The cam timing gets set like this......

 

The camshaft synchronizer (looks like the bottom half of a distributor, has the camshaft position sensor on it) also has to be timed. You are supposed to have the special tool from Ford to line it up.

 

I need to figure out how to put pics in here properly

 

Racerguy,

Sorry about all the questions but, I went and looked through all the parts the Camshaft Position sensor and everything below is still installed on the front plate. Do I still need to use that special tool?

 

You will probably have to remove the synchronizer assembly to install the front cover. After that you'll have to adjust it.

 

Hey, Racerguy, when i set the camshaft position sensor like your diagram, does the engine have to be a TDC? I have a 97 4.2l engine.

 

I guess that's a kinda important little detail I left out....ooops.
Yes it has to be at TDC on the compression stroke on #1 cylinder.

 

where is the cam positioning sensor located on the engine?

 

Hi and welcome to the forum

The cam position sensor is located on the top of the snchronizer assembly at the front of the engine. It is where the distributor would be if it had one.

 

Thank you Greatly!!!! another question.....why would the cam. pos. sensor be completly destroyed on the inside and the snchronizer top ( that goes underneath the sensor) be broken in half?