1997 Hardbody Timing Chain

[Thor667]

I need to replace my timing chain soon as its getting very noisy on start-up and is starting to rattle when driving. I need to know what other parts I might need besides the chain, and tensioner. Also would I need to get any new gaskets? What brands to yall recommend? I also need to get new exhaust manifold gaskets, ive looked on ebay and online and there seems to be different types so im not sure which one goes with my truck.

Engine : KA24E 5-speed 327k miles

[longtooth]

Goto to the dealership and tell them you need a timing chain kit. It should have all the parts that are needed for the repair. The aftermarket parts seem to have a high failure rate on this.

Idealy you will need new crank and cam sprockets, timing chain, tensioner, guilds, timing cover gasket and valve cover gasket.

[Towncivilian]

If your local dealer's price for a timing chain kit is exorbitant, try Courtesy Parts.

[o0Syn]

Do you do your own oil changes? If so make sure you fill up the fuel filter before putting it in. I forgot to do that once and mine was noisy as s*** on startup till i re-did it. Also the T-chain is not always the source of the clack, I did my t-chain and it still clacks like crazy cuz its the valves. So if you do both you will have a nice quiet truckie.

[Towncivilian]

Do you do your own oil changes? If so make sure you fill up the fuel filter before putting it in. I forgot to do that once and mine was noisy as s*** on startup till i re-did it. Also the T-chain is not always the source of the clack, I did my t-chain and it still clacks like crazy cuz its the valves. So if you do both you will have a nice quiet truckie.

Pre-filling the oil filter does minimize dry starts after oil changes, but unless the anti-drainback valve on the oil filter is not sealing properly, future starts should not have any startup rattle. What oil filter are you running, Thor667?

[Rev_D21]

It'll be a little tough pre-filling the oil filter on the KA because the filter sits horizontally.

[Q451990]

My trick for priming the engine after an oil change is to pull the fuse that feeds the fuel pump or injectors. Then crank the car for several seconds using the starter (but it won't start). I never see the oil pressure light for a couple of seconds, or hear a start-up rattle on the first start-up after an oil change using this method.

To the OP... I agree with the other posters here about sticking with OEM parts for something this critical. My '97 had the start-up rattle... even with an OEM filter with the anti-drainback valve. Apparently they all have it to some extent - but if you're getting a rattle during driving you're on borrowed time.

Heath

[Thor667]

Do you do your own oil changes? If so make sure you fill up the fuel filter before putting it in. I forgot to do that once and mine was noisy as s*** on startup till i re-did it. Also the T-chain is not always the source of the clack, I did my t-chain and it still clacks like crazy cuz its the valves. So if you do both you will have a nice quiet truckie.

Im pretty sure its the chain as it does it only on startup with the oil low light on. After that it stop and only starts clacking again and certain RPM's. It also will not do it if I turn the truck off then right back on. My thinking is that the tensioner looses pressure due to bad seals and it losses pressure over time.

Pre-filling the oil filter does minimize dry starts after oil changes, but unless the anti-drainback valve on the oil filter is not sealing properly, future starts should not have any startup rattle. What oil filter are you running, Thor667?

I dont change my own oil. But I dont think its the oil filter anti-draneback as its always done it even just after oil changes.