Another weird Camshaft Synchronizer question!

gcextreme · #1 06-12-2013, 08:33 AM

Ok...first...i did a write up, a howto with a video, on replacing the cam sync and sensor, i have done this in my 99 ranger, but now on my 98 ranger, i just pulled the cam sync out and i have major issues.

One...on all the other cam syncs there have been a little tab, i mean a small 1/4 tab, for marking where its at so you can put the new one in at the same place.
But this one i pulled from my 98 ranger last night is different...the tab is much much larger, about half the circle of the inside diameter (like 3/4).....is this a dorman one??
Anyway..i put a large mark on the way it was..but if i get a new one with a small tab then that mark is useless....so im going to have to find tdc the hard way.
I will post up a pic of the two differences in the tabs later tonight.

Tee Rev · #2 06-12-2013, 09:19 AM

They are two different sensors. The 98 that you just pulled is a three wire sensor & the 99 uses a two wire.
They are not interchangeable.

gcextreme · #3 06-12-2013, 10:00 AM

Ok i didnt even look at the sensor...so if the sensors are different than the cam shaft syncs themselves are different and i need a different part number for it...?
I cant seem to find it on rockauto...the only cam shaft syncs i found match the one for my 99.

Tee Rev · #4 06-12-2013, 01:27 PM

They changed sensors in 98. If you have an early 98 it may still use the the older version.

EDIT**** Apparently both styles were still in use *****

gcextreme · #5 06-12-2013, 05:00 PM

I called OReilly's and they showed the same motorcraft part numbers for the camshaft synchronizers for both the 98 and 99 3.0s....so im confused....

gcextreme · #6 06-12-2013, 07:39 PM

Ok the engine in my garage is a 97 has a 3 wired cam sensor...the one from the 98 and 99 are 2 wires!
But the cam sync i pulled out of the 98 is the same as the one in the 97...and different than the one from my 99.

Posting pics soon

----------

Scratch that..im getting my engine mixed up...
THE 97 is the odd ball!!
It has the big tab on the cam sync and three wired sensor...

Is this going to be an issue when i put this motor into the 98 truck??

I was planning on using all the wires from the 98 since the wire harness from the 97 is all cut up..

----------

Pic from the 98 ranger...small tab in the cam sync and two wired prong sensor..

Pic from the 97 ranger engine...large tab and three wired sensor..

Fordzilla80 · #7 06-12-2013, 07:40 PM

If you're using the 98 harness, then just use the 98+ Cam Sync and sensor. There shouldn't be any difference in the cam sync when it comes to the cam gear and oil pump drive shaft.

On a quick Google search, some of the Dormans do have that larger tab....

gcextreme · #8 06-12-2013, 07:43 PM

Thats what i was thinking...but was not sure...

Fordzilla80 · #9 06-12-2013, 07:47 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by gcextreme

Thats what i was thinking...but was not sure...

I just found this little treasure of a picture too. Pretty self explanatory as to why Dormans are garbage.

gcextreme · #10 06-12-2013, 08:11 PM

Wow..nice find..i just saved that pic...i should get them to add it into my how-to as for why u shouldnt get the dorman!!

Also..whats weird is the dorman comes with the alignment tool...and the mototcraft doesnt...but depending on where u buy the mc one it may come with a sensor
Oreilly can get the mc one with sensor for $149.
Rock auto has the cam for only $94 with no sensor.

Oreilly has the dorman one with tool for like $59.95...but no sensor.

Where can i get just the alignment tool??

rangerlocal · #11 06-12-2013, 08:38 PM

It costs too much I think...but it's on Amazon prime. http://www.amazon.com/OTC-6472-Camshaft-Sensor-Synchronizer/dp/B000VNFUJ2

gcextreme · #12 06-13-2013, 07:38 AM

Thanks. That one there u linked to is the one for the 97 but i found the one for the 98+ one from that...

Anyone know how it works???

rangerlocal · #13 06-13-2013, 02:41 PM

It can only fit on one way, and it holds the inner shaft still in the correct position and keeps it from moving while you fit the teeth of the gear in.

gcextreme · #14 06-13-2013, 03:07 PM

Ok but im assuming the correct position is TDC and how does it verify that??

rangerlocal · #15 06-13-2013, 03:52 PM

Not sure exactly, I was thinking the same thing. That's what it says in the instructions. I think it's assuming you're doing the timing at the same time, and it instructs you to put the #1 cylinder on TDC before using the tool. Sounds kind of backwards to me, but I guess they're assuming if you need the tool you'll need to put it at TDC anyway since the only time you need it is if you suspect the timing is off, or you don't have a reference point from the previous synchronizer position.