I have a 2004 ranger with 4.0 with a cylinder 5 misfire. After replacing most ignition components i removed the valve covers and noticed passenger side cam chain guide missing and tensioner fully extended. question can or do you need to remove the cylinder head to replace the guide. do you have to have access to the jackshaft.

 

I don't believe you need to pull the head to do the rear cassette (Someone correct me if I'm wrong). You do, however, need to pull the engine or the the transmission to replace the rear (passenger) timing components.

You can also just do the rear chain/cassette if you want, but if you're tearing into the motor, you might as well change out all the chains and guides to the updated components.

 

I was hoping i could remove the cam sprocket so i can pull the heads off without removing the engine. this would allow me to do a valve job with out all the extra work removing the engine. I dont have a hoist or stand so doing a valve job with the engine still in is the fastest and most cost effective way to get the truck back on the road.

 

For rear timing chain on the 4.0l SOHC engine you must either remove the engine or remove the transmission

The bolt holding the rear cassette is behind flywheel/flexplate

Pulling the engine is best, you don't need to remove the heads, and you should remove oil pan to clean it of debris, i.e. rear cassette pieces

And you need to change all the chains and cassettes, AND......tensioners

The tensioners were the problem on the 1997 to 2004/5 engines

They would get loose and allow the chain to vibrate, this would beat the guides to death.

You can rent a hoist, 1 day to remove and 1 day to put back in
Some people will rent and deliver these, make a few bucks from something that's just sitting around most of the time, but most tool rental places will as well.

And check local craigslist for engine stands, buy it and then resell it when done, thats what most people do

 

Quick question here. Since the 4.0 isnt ;labeled as an interference engine....does the valves bend when the guides break off????

 

The 4.0l OHV isn't an interference engine
The 4.0l SOHC is

But, No, if a guide breaks it won't cause bent valves, only if the chain breaks and only some of the time

Broken guide causes the rattling sound