Crankshaft gear - 2001 lincoln ls (xw4z6306aa)

[grizzlyls]

Need help figuring how to track two of these down. Its the gear that was Pre May 2001 (of course I got a march 2001). I know where I can get one, but I am hoping I dont have to pay exto..... err a premium on a $25 part. Any google search just states ford discontinued them, and a couple that dont state that I am not sure I would trust with my info without a referal.

Thanks

 

[grizzlyls]

For reference:

http://www.riversidefordparts.com/l...ne-cat/engine-scat/?part_name=crankshaft-gear

And perhaps another question for the experts - why wouldnt the crankshaft be same for post may 2001 - meaning able to use the 2002 model gear? I will be getting the chain that was post may 2001 and using that.

 

[RigsLS]

Most likely they corrected the issue or at the very least upgraded the build. I don't know the month/year (Joegr knows) but they corrected the weak timing issue on the 1st GEN halfway through it's run IIRC.


Best bet is to always go with later revs or builds.

 

[grizzlyls]

Yes thats what I am dealing with Big. Thats the date, May 2001. Christophers was very good explaining it to me. My Mech made me aware it didnt look good when he did the uppers. Its a cheap chain design basically. All the other parts for the system will be the later stronger kind, so I am wondering why I would use the older gear which is $150 each for Two! The later version is still available for far less. As far as I can see the crankshaft is the same for all years, so to me I should be able to use the second gear as well. The other option would be to get the gear at the original $28 dollars as listed on OEM parts (discontinued when you try to buy).

 

[joegr]

The oil pump and chain oiling system changed sometime during the gen I run. I don't know if that is any factor in being able to use the new gear.

 

[grizzlyls]

Hmmm.... here is a good pic of the two pumps. http://www.lincolnvscadillac.com/forum/showthread.php?73672-DAMPENER-BOLT-(NEW-vs-OLD)-amp-OIL-PUMP definite difference. I bet the shaft and the sprockets are irrelevant versus the swap of the chains, but you probably have to have the 2nd version to clear that steel tube right.

Thanks for the hint Joe that made me do a different search for that. Still looking for input if anyone has actually been down in there. Not sure, but probably should, I would want to change out the oil pump.

 

[oddball]

Primary chains changed design - a totally different type of chain, one a roller like the secondaries, the other a multi-link - mid-year 2001 along with the switch to metal bodied secondary tensioners. The primary slides are also different between early and late.

The parts may swap! or may not. You would have to swap the crank gears, chains, and sprockets on the intake cams. The later design also included squirters on the oil pump aimed at the crank sprockets. Certainly a good idea, but no telling whether or not that pump clears the early style chains.


What's caused you to want to replace the crank sprockets? They should be pretty bullet proof.

If it was me, I would troll the you-pull-it yards until an appropriate V8 showed up, tear off the front of the engine and grab whatever you need. Then get new chains and slides from Christopher's.

A new oil pump is generally a good idea, but they may not be available. I did not correctly prime mine when I did it, but it managed to self-prime quickly.

 

[grizzlyls]

Thats where I am Oddball. I had the mech do the uppers as we all know are a must, and found that I was two months before the change. Have the crappy chain in it. He told me how he cut himself on the upper sprocket, so thats obviously worn. Have ordered those replacements. Of course, all the top end stuff is from Christophers, so he said he would set me up with the rest of the lower at a good price - as if I had bought the whole kit in the first place. So all the parts but this gear will be the beefed up version.

So here I am. I have no way to know what the bottoms are like, but if they are worn of course should replace. At $300 just for two of them, I can get one of the remaining few oil pumps (with the squirters) AND the second generation sprocket for about $225. I just need some help figuring if I am right that the crankshaft is irrelevant in the equation. Further, I want to see if I may not need to change the pump for the later design sprocket to work. My gut tells me that is the sprocket that is meant to be used with the different chains.

Since you were down there, I also wonder if the 2nd version pump would bolt up to all the feed tubes right or if those need changed too.

 

[oddball]

The late style pump has the squirters built into the body of the pump. They're pressed in (IIRC). So the only compatibility concern is whether or not the squirters clear the early chain. The early pump should work with the late chains, but then that's without the squirters. The chain guide differences were very subtle but certainly incompatible - the plastic guide only works with the same style guide arm. Is that difference significant w.r.t. the chain style? No idea.

I would bet that the squirters have a lot to do with the life of the chains, including secondary.

I would not expect your crank sprocket to be significantly worn, but it's certainly possible.

I would fully expect the crank snout (and the entire crank!) to be identical across all Gen1 V8s. The best way to check is quality time at the junkyard. A lot of stuff has to be removed and reinstalled, so it's a good idea to practice on a junker anyway. You can figure out the best approaches and tools without worrying about breaking your stuff or scratching the car. I removed the radiator but left the fluid cooler and A/C condenser. And definitely use the shop manual.

If you already have parts on order from Christopher's, then you need to go with whichever style that is!

 

[grizzlyls]

Yes thats all well and good if I was DIY. Sadly, I am the one who has to really on a good mech. Thats why I am trying to get at the why on these. I am of mind to have my mech pull it apart and look at the wear on the originals first. If they are good I may not bother with any. Christopher says that what he supplies is all the later version stuff (mid 2001 to 2002) so these gears would be the only non upgrade. My gut tells me that someone at ford said why are we using two gears on this, and maybe the different chain type would do better with slightly different molded teeth. Thus a change.

Least you see it like I do, the difference cant be the crank itself.

 

[55CrownVic]

Oddball, you said you removed the radiator when you did your chains. My 01 was built about the same time as Grizzlys. I have the new style kit from Christopher's. Hoping to be able to do this job without losing the a/c charge. At 75 years old, I may be biting off more than I can chew but will find out. Did you have much trouble getting radiator out and did you take it out top or bottom? Thanks, Ben

 

[oddball]

I took it out the top. With the hoses out of the way it comes out the top just fine. Just push the drier out of the way.
I just replaced the radiator last year. There were a few sweary moments, but I don't remember anything particularly difficult. No lines were disconnected.

 

[55CrownVic]

Thanks for your reply oddball. Will tear into mine when shop gets a little cooler.

 

[55CrownVic]

Replacing the timing chains with the kit form Christophers. Chains are identical to the original chains with new style tensioners. My 01 v8 is an early build. My secondary tensioners are still good but going to replace now to be pro-active. Oddball, you said you removed the radiator without disconnecting the a/c lines. Did you separate the radiator from the fan cooler and the a/c condenser? Mounting bolts are well hidden.