Timing kit without chain? Just guides and tensioners

[Ruffellbaker]

Im doing a PI cam swap on my 97GT with 213k miles. The previous owner said that it wasnt the original engine which seems right because its extremely clean and runs very smooth. I figured Id go ahead and replace the timing chain guides and tensioners just to be on the safe side. Im not planning on replacing the chains unless I see that they are loose or stretched. But I havent found a kit that comes without the chains. I could buy all of the parts individually but would rather just have it all together. Anyone know where I could get a kit? or better quality parts than Advance Auto's timing parts. Im planning on getting them from Advance but if I have to pay a little more to get better quality thats fine with me.

 

[trinity_gt]

Summit has a Trick Flow timing chain for $30 (TFS-51800501).

 

[trombonedemon]

Summit has a Trick Flow timing chain for $30 (TFS-51800501).

Would it not be sensible to go ahead and get a timing chain kit, while the front cover is off?

 

[bdcardinal]

Would it not be sensible to go ahead and get a timing chain kit, while the front cover is off?

If it were me doing the job, that is what I would do. But then again I hate doing a job twice.

The key is to ask yourself what your time is worth. Think about how much per hour you would pay yourself to do a job.

 

[trombonedemon]

If it were me doing the job, that is what I would do. But then again I hate doing a job twice.

The key is to ask yourself what your time is worth. Think about how much per hour you would pay yourself to do a job.

Max that I am finding in North Carolina, if the job is over an hour, is about 75 bucks an hour.
W/the exception of a scare that the cams might degree themselves, tensioners, guides, timing cover, and so on and so forth should be basic home mechanic stuff.
I mean if he would remember to keep the cams from turning with the Ford locking tool and sticking the paper clip in the tensioners, sounds pretty straight forward to me.

 

[bdcardinal]

I know at my dealer we are $110 an hour. Something like this we wouldn't even give the customer the option of not doing the chains, just makes no sense to save $60 when you're dropping so much at one time.

 

[fast97gt]

for a mere $200+ youll have new gears, chain, tensioners, and guides. only an idiot wouldnt replace EVERYTHING since theyll b in there already, regardless of origianal engine or not also the mileage never the less

 

[Ruffellbaker]

I most likely will replace everything. But if I see that the chains are not worn at all Ill just replace the guides and tensioners.

 

[trombonedemon]

I know at my dealer we are $110 an hour. Something like this we wouldn't even give the customer the option of not doing the chains, just makes no sense to save $60 when you're dropping so much at one time.

Talk about price gouging!

 

[fast97gt]

Talk about price gouging!

2yrs ago private shops here in denver, nc were up to $85/hr and dealers were up to 150-175/hr, since the "recession" theres been a 20% drop in labor costs. tell me whats up with that

 

[bdcardinal]

Talk about price gouging!

We are actually the cheapest dealer in town. It helps we are across the street from a dealer that sells Porsche, BMW, Mercedes, Audi, Land Rover, Jaguar, Smart. Theyre a measely $150 an hour. Also remember the average home price is around $1million here.

 

[trombonedemon]

We are actually the cheapest dealer in town. It helps we are across the street from a dealer that sells Porsche, BMW, Mercedes, Audi, Land Rover, Jaguar, Smart. Theyre a measely $150 an hour. Also remember the average home price is around $1million here.

Maybe I'm spoiled when it comes to mechanic prices, never paid more then 75 bucks an hour.
I'm wondering if the dollar/hour goes up depending oh how difficult it is to work on the make or model car.

 

[txredgt]

Maybe I'm spoiled when it comes to mechanic prices, never paid more then 75 bucks an hour.
I'm wondering if the dollar/hour goes up depending oh how difficult it is to work on the make or model car.

Yea.. you're spoiled. Its only a tad bit more here by 10-20 but when thats a 5 hour job its an extra 100 bucks. I would be willing to bet that shops charge more for newer and nicer rides (People who have the new GT500's can pay more for mods usually, its not a direct correlation but I would bet its slightly higher)