timing chain

[WannaStang93]

well i just got back from the mechanic because i have a slight knocking noise coming from the head of my engine and they listened to it for a while and i was tould i have 2 replace my timing chain, i don't know to much about mechanics so what should i expect, at this time i don't have the money 2 fix it but i was tould i have no problem running the car the way it is...what do u guys think advise whould be helpful,

thanks
alex

 

[97rmcobra]

Well noises can be tricky but if the timing chain is making a knocking noise it must has so much slack that it is hitting the inside of the aluminum timing cover. So steel chain rubbing on aluminum means metal going into the oil pan which is not good. How many miles are on the car?

 

[WannaStang93]

Well noises can be tricky but if the timing chain is making a knocking noise it must has so much slack that it is hitting the inside of the aluminum timing cover. So steel chain rubbing on aluminum means metal going into the oil pan which is not good. How many miles are on the car?

the noise is moe like a tick...47400 original miles...the car belonged to my uncle so i know it was never raced or abused

 

[97rmcobra]

Ticking could be a lifter or just normal injector pulse. It is hard to say without hearing it. You can check the slack in the chain. Turn the crankshaft until the timing pointer is in the degree scale on the vibration damper, clockwise from the front. Remove the distributor cap(I don't think 93 5.0 is DIS?). Now turn the crank counterclockwise and have someone watch the rotor. Once the rotor moves see how many crank degrees you went. Should be around 5. Timing chains usually last a while I have 260K on mine. Did the mechanic check slack? Sounds a little fishy. If slack is fine and the chain did not skip a tooth there is something else causing the problem.