SECTION 303-01A: Engine — 3.7L
2014 Mustang Workshop Manual
IN-VEHICLE REPAIR
Procedure revision date: 01/07/2013

Timing Drive Components


Special Tool(s)
Hold Down, Secondary Chain
303-1530
Tool, Camshaft Holding
303-1248


Item Part Number Description
1 6256 LH intake Variable Camshaft Timing (VCT) assembly
2 6C525 LH exhaust VCT assembly
3 6K297 LH secondary timing chain tensioner shoe
4 6B274 LH primary timing chain guide
5 6268 Primary timing chain
6 6306 Crankshaft timing chain sprocket
7 6L266 Primary timing chain tensioner
8 6K255 RH primary timing chain tensioner arm
9 6K297 RH secondary timing chain tensioner shoe
10 6C525 RH exhaust VCT assembly
11 6256 RH intake VCT assembly
12 6K297 RH primary timing chain guide
13 8501 Channel cover plate
14 6K297 LH primary timing chain guide
15 6268 RH secondary timing chain
16 6K254 RH secondary timing chain tensioner
17 6K254 LH secondary timing chain tensioner
18 6268 LH secondary timing chain

Removal

NOTICE: During engine repair procedures, cleanliness is extremely important. Any foreign material, including any material created while cleaning gasket surfaces, that enters the oil passages, coolant passages or the oil pan may cause engine failure.

All engines

  1. Remove the engine front cover. For additional information, refer to Engine Front Cover in this section.
  1. Rotate the crankshaft clockwise and align the timing marks on the intake Variable Camshaft Timing (VCT) assemblies as shown.
  1. Remove the 3 bolts and the LH valve train oil tube.
  1. NOTE: The Camshaft Holding Tool will hold the camshafts in the Top Dead Center (TDC) position.

    Install the Camshaft Holding Tool onto the flats of the LH camshafts.
  1. Remove the 3 bolts and the RH valve train oil tube.
  1. NOTE: The Camshaft Holding Tool will hold the camshafts in the TDC position.

    Install the Camshaft Holding Tool onto the flats of the RH camshafts.

NOTE: The following 3 steps are for primary timing chains that the colored links are not visible.

  1. Mark the timing chain link that aligns with the timing mark on the LH intake VCT assembly as shown.
  1. Mark the timing chain link that aligns with the timing mark on the RH intake VCT assembly as shown.
  1. NOTE: The crankshaft sprocket timing mark should be between the 2 colored links.

    Mark the 2 timing chain links that align with the timing mark on the crankshaft sprocket as shown.
  1. Remove the 2 bolts and the primary timing chain tensioner.
  1. Remove the primary timing chain tensioner arm.
  1. Remove the 2 bolts and the lower LH primary timing chain guide.
  1. NOTE: Removal of the VCT oil control solenoid will aid in the removal of the primary timing chain.

    NOTE: A slight twisting motion will aid in the removal of the VCT oil control solenoid.

    NOTE: Keep the VCT oil control solenoid clean of dirt and debris.

    Remove the bolt and the LH intake VCT oil control solenoid.
  1. NOTE: Removal of the VCT oil control solenoid will aid in the removal of the primary timing chain.

    NOTE: A slight twisting motion will aid in the removal of the VCT oil control solenoid.

    NOTE: Keep the VCT oil control solenoid clean of dirt and debris.

    Remove the bolt and the RH intake VCT oil control solenoid.
  1. Remove the primary timing chain.
  1. Remove the crankshaft timing chain sprocket.
  1. NOTICE: Do not use power tools to remove the bolt or damage to the LH primary timing chain guide may occur.

    Remove the bolt and the upper LH primary timing chain guide.
  1. NOTE: The 2 VCT oil control solenoids are removed for clarity.

    NOTE: The Secondary Chain Hold Down is inserted through a hole in the top of the mega cap.

    Compress the LH secondary timing chain tensioner and install the Secondary Chain Hold Down in the hole on the rear of the secondary timing chain tensioner guide and let it hold against the mega cap to retain the tensioner in the collapsed position.
  1. Remove and discard the 2 LH VCT assembly bolts.
  1. Remove the 2 LH VCT assemblies and secondary timing chain.
  1. NOTE: The 2 VCT oil control solenoids are removed for clarity.

    NOTE: The Secondary Chain Hold Down is inserted through a hole in the top of the mega cap.

    Compress the RH secondary timing chain tensioner and install the Secondary Chain Hold Down in the hole on the rear of the secondary timing chain tensioner guide and let it hold against the mega cap to retain the tensioner in the collapsed position.
  1. Remove and discard the 2 RH VCT assembly bolts.
  1. Remove the 2 RH VCT assemblies and secondary timing chain.
  1. NOTICE: Do not use power tools to remove the bolt or damage to the RH primary timing chain guide may occur.

    Remove the bolt and the RH primary timing chain guide.
  1. Remove the 9 bolts and the channel cover plate.

Engines with secondary timing chain tensioner removed

NOTICE: The following steps are only for the replacement of the secondary timing chain tensioners. Do not reuse the secondary timing chain tensioners if removed, or damage to the engine may occur.

  1. NOTE: A slight twisting motion will aid in the removal of the VCT oil control solenoid.

    NOTE: Keep the VCT oil control solenoid clean of dirt and debris.

    Remove the LH exhaust VCT oil control solenoid.
  1. Remove the LH secondary timing chain tensioner shoe.
  1. Remove the LH secondary timing chain tensioner by pushing up from the bottom and remove.
  1. NOTE: A slight twisting motion will aid in the removal of the VCT oil control solenoid.

    NOTE: Keep the VCT oil control solenoid clean of dirt and debris.

    Remove the RH exhaust VCT oil control solenoid.
  1. Remove the RH secondary timing chain tensioner shoe.
  1. Remove the RH secondary timing chain tensioner by pushing up from the bottom and remove.

Installation

All engines

  1. Using a new gasket, install the channel cover plate and the 9 bolts. Tighten in the sequence shown in 2 stages:
  1. Install the RH primary timing chain guide and the bolt.

Engines with secondary timing chain tensioner removed

NOTICE: The following steps are only for the replacement of the secondary timing chain tensioners. Do not reuse the secondary timing chain tensioners if removed or damage to the engine may occur.

  1. NOTE: Apply clean engine oil to the secondary timing chain tensioner O-ring seals and mega cap bore.

    NOTE: Do not remove the secondary timing chain tensioner shipping clip, until instructed to do so.

    Install the RH secondary timing chain tensioner by pushing it down all the way until a snap is heard and the tensioner is seated all the way down the mega cap bore.
  1. Install the RH secondary timing chain tensioner shoe.
  1. Remove and discard the RH secondary timing chain tensioner shipping clip.
  1. Assemble the RH Variable Camshaft Timing (VCT) assembly, the RH exhaust camshaft sprocket and the RH secondary timing chain.
  1. NOTE: It may be necessary to rotate the camshafts slightly, to install the RH secondary timing assembly.

    Position the 2 RH VCT assemblies and secondary timing chain onto the camshafts by aligning the holes in the VCT assemblies with the dowel pins in the camshafts.
  1. Install the 2 new RH VCT bolts and tighten in 4 stages.
  1. Activate the RH secondary timing chain tensioner by pressing down on the secondary tensioner shoe until it bottoms out, let go of the tensioner and it will spring up putting tension on the chain.
  1. NOTICE: Do not use excessive force when installing the Variable Camshaft Timing (VCT) oil control solenoid. Damage to the mega cap could cause the cylinder head to be inoperable. If difficult to install the VCT oil control solenoid, inspect the bore and VCT oil control solenoid to ensure there are no burrs, sharp edges or contaminants present on the mating surface. Only clean the external surfaces as necessary.

    NOTE: A slight twisting motion will aid in the installation of the VCT oil control solenoid.

    NOTE: Keep the VCT oil control solenoid clean of dirt and debris.

    Install the RH exhaust VCT oil control solenoid.
  1. NOTE: Apply clean engine oil to the secondary timing chain tensioner O-ring seals and mega cap bore.

    NOTE: Do not remove the secondary timing chain tensioner shipping clip, until instructed to do so.

    Install the LH secondary timing chain tensioner by pushing it down all the way until a snap is heard and the tensioner is seated all the way down the mega cap bore.
  1. Install the LH secondary timing chain tensioner shoe.
  1. Remove and discard the LH secondary timing chain tensioner shipping clip.
  1. Assemble the 2 LH VCT assemblies and the LH secondary timing chain.
  1. NOTE: It may be necessary to rotate the camshafts slightly, to install the LH secondary timing assembly.

    Position the 2 LH VCT assemblies and secondary timing chain onto the camshafts by aligning the holes in the VCT assemblies with the dowel pins in the camshafts.
  1. Install the 2 new LH VCT bolts and tighten in 4 stages.
  1. Activate the LH secondary timing chain tensioner by pressing down on the secondary tensioner shoe until it bottoms out, let go of the tensioner and it will spring up putting tension on the chain.
  1. NOTICE: Do not use excessive force when installing the Variable Camshaft Timing (VCT) oil control solenoid. Damage to the mega cap could cause the cylinder head to be inoperable. If difficult to install the VCT oil control solenoid, inspect the bore and VCT oil control solenoid to ensure there are no burrs, sharp edges or contaminants present on the mating surface. Only clean the external surfaces as necessary.

    NOTE: A slight twisting motion will aid in the installation of the VCT oil control solenoid.

    NOTE: Keep the VCT oil control solenoid clean of dirt and debris.

    Install the LH exhaust VCT oil control solenoid.

Engines with secondary timing chain tensioner not removed

  1. Compress the RH secondary timing chain tensioner and install the Secondary Chain Hold Down to retain the tensioner in the collapsed position.
  1. Assemble the RH VCT assembly, the RH exhaust camshaft sprocket and the RH secondary timing chain.
  1. NOTE: It may be necessary to rotate the camshafts slightly, to install the RH secondary timing assembly.

    Position the 2 RH VCT assemblies and secondary timing chain onto the camshafts by aligning the holes in the VCT assemblies with the dowel pins in the camshafts.
  1. Install the 2 new RH VCT bolts and tighten in 4 stages.
  1. NOTE: The 2 VCT oil control solenoids are removed for clarity.

    Compress the RH secondary timing chain tensioner and remove the Secondary Chain Hold Down.
  1. Compress the LH secondary timing chain tensioner and install the Secondary Chain Hold Down to retain the tensioner in the collapsed position.
  1. Assemble the 2 LH VCT assemblies and the LH secondary timing chain.
  1. NOTE: It may be necessary to rotate the camshafts slightly, to install the LH secondary timing assembly.

    Position the 2 LH VCT assemblies and secondary timing chain onto the camshafts by aligning the holes in the VCT assemblies with the dowel pins in the camshafts.
  1. Install the 2 new LH VCT bolts and tighten in 4 stages.
  1. NOTE: The 2 VCT oil control solenoids are removed for clarity.

    Compress the LH secondary timing chain tensioner and remove the Secondary Chain Hold Down.

All engines

  1. Install the upper LH primary timing chain guide and the bolt.
  1. Install the crankshaft timing chain sprocket with timing dot mark out.
  1. NOTE: It may be necessary to rotate the camshafts slightly, to align the timing marks.

    Install the primary timing chain with the colored links aligned with the timing marks on the VCT assemblies and the crankshaft sprocket.
  1. Install the lower LH primary timing chain guide and the 2 bolts.
  1. Install the primary timing chain tensioner arm.
  1. Reset the primary timing chain tensioner.
  1. NOTE: It may be necessary to rotate the camshafts slightly to remove slack from the timing chain to install the tensioner.

    Install the primary tensioner and the 2 bolts.
  1. As a post-check, verify correct alignment of all timing marks.
  1. NOTICE: Do not use excessive force when installing the Variable Camshaft Timing (VCT) oil control solenoid. Damage to the mega cap could cause the cylinder head to be inoperable. If difficult to install the VCT oil control solenoid, inspect the bore and VCT oil control solenoid to ensure there are no burrs, sharp edges or contaminants present on the mating surface. Only clean the external surfaces as necessary.

    NOTE: A slight twisting motion will aid in the installation of the VCT oil control solenoid.

    NOTE: Keep the VCT oil control solenoid clean of dirt and debris.

    Install the LH intake VCT oil control solenoid and the bolt.
  1. NOTICE: Do not use excessive force when installing the Variable Camshaft Timing (VCT) oil control solenoid. Damage to the mega cap could cause the cylinder head to be inoperable. If difficult to install the VCT oil control solenoid, inspect the bore and VCT oil control solenoid to ensure there are no burrs, sharp edges or contaminants present on the mating surface. Only clean the external surfaces as necessary.

    NOTE: A slight twisting motion will aid in the installation of the VCT oil control solenoid.

    NOTE: Keep the VCT oil control solenoid clean of dirt and debris.

    Install the RH intake VCT oil control solenoid and the bolt.
  1. Remove the RH Camshaft Holding Tool.
  1. Install the RH valve train oil tube and the 3 bolts and tighten in 2 stages.
  1. Remove the LH Camshaft Holding Tool.
  1. Install the LH valve train oil tube and the 3 bolts and tighten in 2 stages.
  1. Install the engine front cover. For additional information, refer to Engine Front Cover in this section.