Ford Taurus Quiz
Powertrain

General Procedures

In this manual: Powertrain
General Information — 12Chassis — 28Powertrain — 87Electrical — 62Body and Paint — 58
21steps
~126min
4/5difficulty
010203040502518N·mlb·ft
Tightening torque found on this page
Done 0 of 21

Valve Clearance Check

  1. Remove the RH fender splash shield. For additional information, refer to Section 501-02.
  2. Remove the valve cover. For additional information, refer to Valve Cover in this section.
  3. NOTE: Turn the engine clockwise only, and only use the crankshaft bolt.

    NOTE: Before removing the camshafts, measure the clearance of each valve at base circle, with the lobe pointed away from the tappet. Failure to measure all clearances prior to removing the camshafts will necessitate repeated removal and installation and wasted labor time.

    Use a feeler gauge to measure the clearance of each valve and record its location.
  4. NOTE: The number on the valve tappet only reflects the digits that follow the decimal. For example, a tappet with the number 0.650 has the thickness of 3.650 mm.

    NOTE: The nominal clearance is:

    • intake: 0.25 mm (0.0095 in).
    • exhaust: 0.36 mm (0.0142 in).

    NOTE: The acceptable clearances after being fully installed are:

    • intake: 0.19-0.31 mm (0.007-0.012 in).
    • exhaust: 0.30-0.42 mm (0.012-0.017 in).
    Select tappets using this formula: ideal tappet thickness = measured clearance + the existing tappet thickness - nominal clearance.
    Select the closest tappet size to the ideal tappet thickness available and mark the installation location.
  5. If any tappets do not measure within specifications, install new tappets in these locations. For additional information, refer to Valve Tappets in this section.

Balance Shaft Backlash

Special Tool(s)

Ford Taurus. Engine
  1. Install the Crankshaft TDC Timing Peg and rotate the crankshaft slowly clockwise until the crankshaft balance weight is up against the Crankshaft TDC Timing Peg. The engine is now at TDC.
  2. Mark the balancer unit and shafts on the top for reference that the balancer unit is at TDC.
  3. NOTE: Due to the precision interior construction of the balancer unit, it should not be disassembled.

    Remove the 4 bolts and the balancer unit.

  4. Remove the adjustment shims from the seat faces of the balancer unit.
  5. NOTICE: Visually inspect the balancer unit gear for damage and verify that the shaft turns smoothly. If there is any damage or malfunction, replace the balancer unit.

    Install the master adjustment shims (No. 50) on the seat faces of the balancer unit.

  6. With the balancer unit shaft marks at the TDC position, slowly install the balancer unit to the cylinder block to avoid interference between the crankshaft drive gear and the balancer unit driven gear.
  7. Install the balancer unit bolts.
    • Tighten in the sequence shown in 2 stages.
      • Stage 1: Tighten to 25 N·m.
      • Stage 2: Tighten to 42 N·m.
  8. Remove the Crankshaft TDC Timing Peg.
    • Rotate the crankshaft to confirm that there are no meshing problems between the balancer unit gear and the crankshaft gear.
  9. Install the Crankshaft TDC Timing Peg and rotate the crankshaft slowly clockwise until the crankshaft balance weight is up against the Crankshaft TDC Timing Peg.
    • Remove the Crankshaft TDC Timing Peg.
  10. NOTE: Measure the backlash and verify that it is within specified range at all of the following 6 positions: 10 degrees, 30 degrees, 100 degrees, 190 degrees, 210 degrees and 280 degrees. It will be necessary to reset the measuring equipment between measurements.

    NOTE: The measurement must be taken with the Dial Indicator Gauge with Holding Fixture, a 5-mm Allen wrench and worm clamp set up as shown. Mark the Allen wrench with a file 80 mm (3.149 in) above the driven gear shaft center. Make sure the worm clamp and Allen wrench are not touching the balance shaft housing.

    NOTE: For an accurate measurement while measuring the gear backlash, insert a screwdriver as shown into the crankshaft No. 1 crankweight area and set both the rotation and the thrust direction with the screwdriver, using a prying action as shown.

    Position the Dial Indicator Gauge with Holding Fixture as shown. Measure the gear backlash.
    • Position the Dial Indicator Gauge with Holding Fixture (1) on the Allen wrench 80 mm (3.149 in) above the driven gear shaft center (2) on the balancer unit.
    • Rotate the crankshaft clockwise and measure the backlash at all of the following 6 positions: 10 degrees, 30 degrees, 100 degrees, 190 degrees, 210 degrees and 280 degrees.
  11. NOTE: If maximum backlash exceeds 0.120 mm (0.0047 in), install a new balancer unit.

    Using the backlash measurement, select the proper shims from the Adjustment Shim Selection Table.

    • Remove the balancer unit from the cylinder block.
    • Install the selected adjustment shims on the seat faces of the balancer unit.
    Ford Taurus. Engine
  12. Install the Crankshaft TDC Timing Peg and rotate the crankshaft slowly clockwise until the crankshaft balance weight is up against the Crankshaft TDC Timing Peg. The engine is now at TDC.
  13. With the balancer unit shaft marks in the TDC position, slowly install the balancer unit to the cylinder block to avoid interference between the crankshaft drive gear and the balancer unit driven gear.
  14. Install the balancer unit bolts.
    • Tighten in the sequence shown in 2 stages.
      • Stage 1: Tighten to 25 N·m.
      • Stage 2: Tighten to 42 N·m.
  15. Remove the Crankshaft TDC Timing Peg.
  16. NOTE: Remeasure the backlash and verify that it is within specified range at all of the following 6 positions: 10 degrees, 30 degrees, 100 degrees, 190 degrees, 210 degrees and 280 degrees. It will be necessary to reset the measuring equipment between measurements.

    NOTE: The measurement must be taken with the Dial Indicator Gauge with Holding Fixture, a 5-mm Allen wrench and worm clamp set up as shown. Mark the Allen wrench with a file 80 mm (3.149 in) above the driven gear shaft center. Make sure the worm clamp and Allen wrench are not touching the balance shaft housing.

    NOTE: For an accurate measurement while measuring the gear backlash, insert a screwdriver as shown into the crankshaft No. 1 crankweight area and set both the rotation and the thrust direction with the screwdriver, using a prying action as shown.

    Position the Dial Indicator Gauge with Holding Fixture as shown. Measure the gear backlash.
    • Position the Dial Indicator Gauge with Holding Fixture (1) on the Allen wrench 80 mm (3.149 in) above the driven gear shaft center (2) on the balancer unit.
    • Rotate the crankshaft clockwise and measure the backlash at all of the following 6 positions: 10 degrees, 30 degrees, 100 degrees, 190 degrees, 210 degrees and 280 degrees.
    • If the backlash exceeds the specified range of 0.020 to 0.120 mm (0.0008 to 0.0047 in), install a new balancer unit and repeat the procedure.

Test yourself

A quick Ford Taurus quiz: every answer comes with an explanation and a link to the manual page.