When is a good time to change the timing chain? Is there a set milage like with timing belts? My truck has 170K on it's 5.9L 360.

 

yah i would be willing to bet that the timing chain swap is well past due on your truck....

 

Yep the time has come and gone... Heres mine with just 150k with consistent oil changes, I also had a decent misfire at idle that was also attributed to the old tchain. Its 90bucks from mopar, but the labor is a little bit more....

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i think its best to combine it with a water pump replacement (don't forget the bypass hose) and optionally, plenum repair. timing chain set is only about $50 at local auto parts store.

edit. at 170k, its shot.

 

There is no "interval" for changing the chain per se, as they typically don't just snap like belts and leave you stranded with bent valves. They do wear and stretch however, and a sloppy chain will result in poor performance. If you don't care about the loss of power and mileage, chances are the chain will outlast the rest of the truck before it ever snaps.

 

Unless you have a slapping noise coming from the cover, Leave it alone. Its common for the the 3.9 V6 motors to replace timing chain at 60k or higher. But not for the 5.2 / 5/9 motors.

 

178 and i dont have any problems with mine, knock knock.

 

I have read that the 5.2/5.9 engines have a nylon coating on the timing chain or gearsthat will wear off in as little as 50k miles and cause a little slop. My truck has around 50k miles on it and I can hear it tapping the cover (in the top of the oil pan area) using a stethoscope when at idle. It sounds kind of like a knock or a dull tapping, but if you increase the idle a very little you can't hear it. I am going to go ahead and change mine out just to be on the safe side. The chain set I am getting is a double roller with options to retard or advance the timing 4 deg. I am considering the 4 deg advance so I can move my power band a little lower.