Have a '94 XL with the 4.9L engine, and am pleased to discover that apparently there is no timing chain or belt to replace. The crankshaft turns the gear? At 253K miles, I have no idea whether the seal on this thing has ever been replaced, and the cylinder covers have to come off, after the fan and pulley. This is beyond my capabilities mechanically. The truck runs great with this many miles; question is whether or not to replace the seals on the thing, or just wait for it to go. Been through a timing belt breaking on other vehicles. Immediate melt down. How can you tell if the gear in this thing needs servicing? Or does it just run forever? One can only hope! Any help appreciated.

 

You have one of the most bullet proof engines ever put in a moving vehical. No need to worry about timing gears. If you ever have reason to have the timing cover off you can check it as part of a routine check while you have things open other wise leave it alone. If the seals are not leaking don't mess with it. With regular servicing you should be able to get another 100,000 miles out of it. I have driven F150 with 300 CID I6's with well over 300,000 miles on them. This is an engine that out lasts the Truck it sits in and owners look for a new truck to put their engine in. It is also a extremely easy engine to overhaul.

 

Thanks for that Trans. I've read a gazillion times about this engine being bulletproof. Beginning to almost believe it. No current problems with this engine, and as far as I can tell the heads have never been off. The body is good too; think I'll keep her for a spell. Be interesting to hear how many miles other folks have on the 300/I6 before having any timing gear issues?

 

if you keep the engine stock you'll, never have timing gear problems. i've got around 260k on mine.

the biggest fall of this engine is the front cylinder warps out and you'll burn oil.

if you have any problems with your tuck it will be something electrical, smog related, or fuel pumps.