Sad timing noises :(

Well, I knew it was going to happen eventually, I just didn't think it would happen so soon. I bought my speed at the end of July last summer with 68k on it and I'm a bit over 71k now. It sat in the garage all winter and I have been driving it a decent amount lately. When I started it this morning and heard the dreaded rattle, I already knew what it was.

So, I hopped in the truck and went to work. When I got home, I pulled the valve cover off and that chain is pretty loose. It looks like it may have just started because the witness marks are fairly light on the valve cover.



I tried to include a video of the chain, not sure if it will show up or not. I through a picture of the cam lobes because I am seeing what appears to be galling, I hope it's just normal wear and not an oiling issue, but it's been a while since I have looked at a cam shaft so, it's possible the previous owner wasn't as good at general maintenance as I thought. I figured I would get some opinions here.


Of course, this happens when I am nearing the end of the tuning process and now, I am tempted to put CorkSports cams in while I do the timing set. After all I am most of the way there... Anyways enjoy my misfortune

 

Well man first off sorry to hear that! Secondly though, I would say if you're feeling like you need new cams now is obviously the time to do it. Your marks are very very minor so it definitely just started which is good.

Just go oem replacing the timing components and if you're doing the work then take your time! I did the timing on my car with the motor in and it was a slow, tedious process. I ran it for 10k miles before the crank bolt decided to come loose and bend all my valves. Trust me when I say USE BLUE LOCTITE and TORQUE CRANK BOLT THE FULL 90° PAST 70FT-LBS! lol

 

That's rough! Sorry to hear that, but thank you for the advice!

 

If decide to stay on stock exhaust cam Mazda has stopped selling it. A Ford one will work and is available from different sources. Look at Edge catalog to get Ford part number. Also Ford cam buckets are much cheaper and have more sizes than Mazda, Corksport has a great write up on bucket replacement too.

 

Thanks for the information, I'm gonna stay on the current cams for now. Timing stuff showed up today but my wife needs me to fix other things first ☹️

 

Glad we could get you going with the VVT how to thread. Again let me know if you need anything.

 

Car is back on the road! I think I'd do it again but, not any time soon Thanks again @Rokusek!

 

You're welcome brother! Happy she's back on the road!