Today my truck started making a chirping sound that sounds like it is coming from the back of the engine.I was told that it is the camshaft synchronizer going bad.Basically looks like the lower half of a distributor and has a sensor on top of it.2 Ford techs told me it was common to the 3.0 and 4.0.They say I can get one for about $50(employee price) and one of them said he would install it for 2 cases of Corona!I am going to pick one up and get it done ASAP because he said it drived the oil pump also.But he also said he has never seen one lock up.It is just annoying and getting louder.I guess it takes a special tool to get it out also.I will let you all know the outcome.

 

There is no forced lubrication to the aluminum synchronizer housing, so they sometimes dry up and squeak. The special tool is not for disassembly but rather to resynchronize the camshaft position sensor to the correct timing relative to the camshaft on reassembly. It's analogous to installing a distributor on the correct tooth.

 

Thanks for the info.I hope it fixes the problem.

 

A synchronizer is used on the both the 3.0 and the 4.0 OHV to mount and drive the Camshaft Position Sensor. It does not exist on the 4.0 SOHC because it is not needed. The Camshaft Position Sensor on the SOHC senses cam position directly from a reluctor which is integral to the driver side camshaft.

 

Yeah,I meant the 4.0 OHV only and the 3.0.He did say that the SOHC motor didn't have it.I ordered it yesterday and it was around $70.I dropped my truck off at the guys house that is doing it.He is going to fix it today.I have had over 142,000 trouble free miles,I hope this isn't the start of things to come.I want to keep this truck for a long time and I hope it remains reliable.It still has never left me stranded and has never been on a tow truck(knock on wood).That is why I fix things right away at the first sign of trouble,not waiting for something to fail completely.

 

At least you don't have to worry about the OHC tensioners, probably the biggest trouble area on the SOHC version of the 4.0L. Hopefully, your engine will give you many more miles of trouble-free service.

 

That is why I like the OHV for long term durability.It is old school and an easy rebuild if it ever comes to that.I would just worry about a SOHC motor with over say 200,000 or so.Maybe they will hold up just fine.I have used Mobil 1 since 1,000 miles and the motor looks brand new inside,doesn't burn any oil and runs perfect so I can't complain.I would like the h.p. of a SOHC for sure.Thanks again for the info.I am on my way now to his house with the part so I should be up and running shortly without the squeek!

 

It is all fixed.Took the guy about 30 minutes or so and it is quiet again.You can really feel how bad the old one was just by turning it by hand.You kind of have to do the whole thing by feel because you can't even see it at the back of the motor.I am glad I didn't attemp to do it myself.

 

Glad you got it fixed. Sounds like you got off way cheaper than at the dealer. I replaced the O-ring seals on the upper and lower intake on a friend's 4.0 SOHC Ex the other day. Never had one apart before. It only took an hour and a half and cost him the price of the seals. The dealer had quoted him $350!