lewissa81

I was thinking your timing cover had a hole, not the valve cover. That's wicked man!
It looks like the phaser is completely shot. That could account for your codes. Unfortunately, it may have damaged the cam and the cam journals. I would take the cam off and inspect it thoroughly. These motors don't use cam bearings, so if the cam has been digging into the head and giving it too much play, you'll need to replace the head.
If the cam and journals are fine, replace the timing components including phasers, tensioners, guides, and vct solenoids and you should be good to go.

screamineagle

If it were me I would throw in a crate engine and be done with it. Plenty of people on this forum alone have done engine swaps without pulling the cab. Honestly, I think the truck is worth it and with some tlc will be a great truck and likely an investment since you can do the labor yourself.

Ford15379

I plan on taking the cover off and seeing exactly whats making the chain so loose. A new engine would be nice but I dont want to spend that kind of money on a 10 year old truck, I know its worth it especially since I bought it cheap but I just bought a house a couple months ago it has eaten through a lot of money (and were starting a bathroom remodel next week)

When you say the phaser looks shot are you refering to the groove? I actually was thinking the same thing but I just was looking at the timing chain process in the chilton manual and the pic they have of the phasers show the same groove like its supposed to be there?

Ford Fan#1

personally I would. It looks like it is in fairly decent shape so once you get it cleaned up and the motor fixed it will be worth 10-13k

vintageman

Check the cams and heads out, if they are good to go, replace the timing components and phasers, cost will be around $500. Get a valve cover and drive it. Could end up being a great truck for the price.

Ford15379

Thats really what I'm going for. I haven't even driven it other than turning it around for the tow truck to get on the back end and then driving it up my driveway. I want to just do what it takes to get it running right and go from there. It could need other mechanical work that I'm not aware of yet

lewissa81

I guess I used the wrong word. I didn't mean that it physically looked bad. I really meant that it seems to be. Since you're getting codes related to timing and the chain is loose, given how often these phasers can fail when something else breaks, they are probably shot.

Manuellabour247

Been a while since I saw a "window" in a valve cover. Lol. If you are going to pull the top of the engine anyways, why not pull the whole thing so you can get to everything on top easier? It would also give you a chance to look over the rest of the motor to make sure there isn't anything else wrong. That might save you from spending the 500 for timing components if something major is wrong. I personally would pull the engine and give it a detailed once over. I'd hate to spend the money thinking I'm fixing it only to have to pull it again later.

Ford15379

Well I was finally able to get a little work done this week on the truck. I pulled the front cover and the broken valve cover. Found out that the bottom chain guide basically doesnt exist anymore. Obviously it must be down in the oil pan theres only a small piece still bolted on the bottom and a piece behind the bolt on the top. Only thing I can figure is the person who installed it must have overtightened the guide and broke it installing it. Other than that I see no way for it to come apart like this.

Does anyone recognize the logo on the phaser? I assume its an aftermarket brand

Batten

Its Dorman