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Spoke with Cloyes and they said I had the wrong timing set. The roller chains are for the later iterations of the 4.7 (2008 and up Dakota). At first they tried to tell me the tone wheel was different too, but the guy admitted that he got that wrong, once I sent him the pics. So it seems the roller chains and sprockets are the big difference. The bolts for the secondary guides are different too, due to the pivoting bushing. Well, I guess I'll consider this an upgrade then. I looked up the 08 guide bolts and they are ten bucks each + ship, LOL. I googled the bolt specs and got these from Autozone for five bucks, so I'm good there.
On another front. I didn't have anything remotely large enough to put on this red crankshaft seal, so I could tap it into the timing cover. Well I had an idea and it worked. I put the seal in the fridge and let the sun beat on the timing cover in the bed of the truck for a few hours. A little oil and it slipped right in and bottomed out by hand.
I usually use a large socket. /although with 50+ years, I've got a bunch of BIG sockets that don't get used much. I've also got a toaster oven in the garage for making things hot. My girlfriend made a grilled cheese sandwich in it once and complained about the odd flavor. I'd heated some differential gears in it a couple of hors before.
I've also got a toaster oven in the garage for making things hot.
Yeah, I might use the same method to get the harmonic balancer back on, as I don't have the special tool. I won't heat the whole balancer though, cause I don't want to damage the rubber. Just around the hole with a propane torch. Might put a ziplock bag with ice on the crankshaft for good measure.
Should be able to just use the bolt to draw the balancer into place???? That's what I always did.... But, never worked on a 4.7...... so, not sure how tight those get.
Yeah, I might use the same method to get the harmonic balancer back on, as I don't have the special tool. I won't heat the whole balancer though, cause I don't want to damage the rubber. Just around the hole with a propane torch. Might put a ziplock bag with ice on the crankshaft for good measure.
Use dry ice if you do that. It doesn't get water into the systems and is MUCH colder. The temperature dimensional difference will be greater. What kind of installation tool is required? Autozone rents tools but most installation tools are basically a bolt with a big washer. I definitely wouldn't use a torch near rubber. Why not set it in a box out in the sun with a piece of glass over it to keep the heat in? That plus dry ice may make enough difference to push it on by hand. I've never done gearing in a 4.7 so I'm just hypothesizing.
Should be able to just use the bolt to draw the balancer into place???? That's what I always did.... But, never worked on a 4.7...... so, not sure how tight those get.
Should probably work with just the bolt but I've been told that when starting them off, the force on the few threads that are engaged, could cause thread damage. I'm planning on using just the bolt, but adding the heat expansion/cold contraction as an assist.
Should probably work with just the bolt but I've been told that when starting them off, the force on the few threads that are engaged, could cause thread damage. I'm planning on using just the bolt, but adding the heat expansion/cold contraction as an assist.
Use a longer bolt to start. Once it's seated fairly well, go back to the original one. This will give you plenty of contact threading.
Made a dent today. The chains are in and the timing cover is back on. HeyYou, I took your advice and rolled right (passenger) camshaft back it's TDC position, using the sprocket bolt. Worked great.
I cheated at bit when I went to do the final torque on the sprockets. My big torque wrench needs to calibrated and I can't trust it. Also, the vice grip holding the camshaft would slip when I tried to torque it with the breaker bar. No, I don't have the special tool and didn't make one. I tightened the sprocket bolts until it reached the point of slipping then I tapped them twice with the impact gun on low, observing the bolt movement. It's a very powerful 1" Dewalt and I didn't want a disaster. Sometimes I just gotta do what I gotta do.
Coming along nicely. I ended up putting the harmonic balancer back on with this tooI. I rented it from Autozone. Here it is, in case anyone is wondering. Also the thread pitch of the crankshaft is 14 x 1.5mm, in case anyone wants to make one with threaded rod. I used a big crescent wrench to turn the bolt. Valve covers are back on now so I'm stoked that I'll be cranking it over soon. Gotta get some coolant and oil.
Last edited by Dodgevity; Nov 24, 2025 at 03:06 AM.
