After pulling my timing cover to replace the harmonic balancer damage, I checked my timing chain for slack and I get at *least* 1 inch of side to side play. Book says anything over .5 inch is time to replace.

Any thoughts on the best bang for the buck here? I plan on replacing the motor some time in the future (this summer) so will probably move the new set to the replacement motor.

1992 XJ, 4.0L HO, 250K hard miles.

BONUS: Video I took tonight.. No audio.. cameras too old. lol

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=http:...?v=k52Sqy_LhfI

 

I just bought and installed a Melling for mine. I bought it from Quadratech and they sent me the wrong cam sprocket. My cam has a dowel to locate the cam gear and the one they sent me uses a keyed shaft. The kit itself seemed ok though. My gears weren't bad though and I had to get it back together so I just threw the chain on there. What balancer did you buy? I got a dorman and it is kindof a PITA to get on.

 

i got mine from comp cams with a set, it came with the cam, timing set, liters, springs, retainers, basically everything but the valves for $350.

 

yours is doweled, really? I thought they changed the cam design after 97' to be keyed...you coulda put in a double roller then, hmmm...
and all harmonic balancers are a PITA to get on

to the OP, look at summit, they sell a double roller timing set that will fit your year XJ

 

Yeah mine is doweled. Maybe they switched it before I bought it? Not really sure. I looked up on the Melling website and looked up the part numbers and it calls out 2 different ones for the cherokee. I goot the wrong one. The only thing different is the cam gear between the two kits.

 

Seems that the puller I used on the balancer really messed up the threads of the crankshaft. I put the bolt back in to see how many degrees the chain movement is and I lost about half of the threads on the bolt. lame

Anyone know what size threads for the crankshaft? I need to get a tap I guess to chase out the threads.

 

Mine is a 98 and it is a 1/2"x20. It might be different on the older ones though. Whhen I pulled mine I took the washer off the bolt and put the bolt back in so the puller didn't mess up my threads.

 

Ok, I got a few new grade 8 bolts, a tap and a balancer installer. Not replacing the timing set as there isn't any locally between 20 stores and I cant wait till next Friday. ugh. Local store was 139.99 for the set. Don't think so. Anywho, hopefully I can get the threads cleaned and this thig put together tonight.

 

Are you at least going to change the chain?

 

Nope. Just gonna keep whooping it. Got her all buttoned up tonight and put about 20 miles on it. Runs like a top. Not a single local parts store had the set or just the chain. Heck, I would have just replaced the chain but no dice.

A new motor in the near future anyways. I have about 1 PSI oil pressure idling and about 10 on the highway at 75-80. Not knocking yet though. Last quote I had was $500 for a complete '97 4.0L with 60K. But that was before cash 4 clunkers so I'm HOPING that they place still has a reasonable 4.0L.

 

Good luck buddy. That drives me nuts when I can't find the parts locally and can't wait a week for the parts. Sometimes you just have to do with what you have unfortunately.