Sable V6-3.0L VIN U (1999)
Fig. 8 Timing Chain Alignment
23. Check camshaft end play. If clearance is excessive, replace camshaft thrust plate.
24. Check timing chain deflection.
25. Remove camshaft sprocket retaining bolt and washer.
26. Using one hand on the camshaft sprocket and the other on the crankshaft sprocket, pull assembly forward and off of crankshaft and camshaft.
Remove timing chain and camshaft sprocket and crankshaft sprocket.
27. Remove two camshaft thrust plate retaining bolts and camshaft thrust plate.
28. Carefully remove camshaft by pulling slowly toward front of engine keeping camshaft perfectly in line with camshaft bores. Damage to camshaft
bearings and/or camshaft can occur if camshaft is allowed to drop on bearing surface or cylinder block.
Installation
1. CAUTION: Aluminum components gouge easily which cause gasket leaks. Always use care when scraping aluminum gasket surfaces.
NOTE: Lightly oil all bolt and stud bolt threads with Motorcraft Super Premium 5W30 Motor Oil XO-5W30-QSP or equivalent meeting Ford
specification WSS-M2C153-G before installation except those specified for special sealant.
Clean mating gasket surfaces of lower intake manifold and cylinder head. Lay a clean cloth or shop cloth in the valve tappet valley to catch any
gasket material. After scraping, carefully lift cloth from valve tappet valley to prevent any particles from entering oil drain holes or cylinder head.
Use a suitable solvent to remove old rubber sealant. Clean gasket mating surfaces of engine front cover to cylinder block and oil pan to cylinder
block.
2. Inspect camshaft bearings for wear.
3. Clean and inspect all components before installation.
4. CAUTION: If a new camshaft and/or a camshaft position sensor housing is installed, ALWAYS add the rest of the Engine Assembly
Lubricant D9AZ-19579-D or equivalent (pint) meeting Ford specification ESR-M99C80-A to the engine oil by pouring it through the
distributor hole onto the camshaft drive gear. Run engine at idle for five minutes prior to driving vehicle.
Lubricate camshaft lobes, distributor drive gear and bearing surfaces liberally with Engine Assembly Lubricant D9AZ-19579-D or equivalent
meeting Ford specification ESR-M99C80-A. Coat entire camshaft drive gear with Engine Assembly Lubricant D9AZ-19579-D or equivalent
meeting Ford specification ESR-M99C80-A. Carefully slide camshaft through camshaft bearings into cylinder block. Keep camshaft in line with
front camshaft bearing.
5. Lubricate camshaft thrust plate with Engine Assembly Lubricant D9AZ-19579-D or equivalent meeting Ford specification ESR-M99C80-A and
install with two retaining bolts. Tighten bolts to 10 Nm (88 inch lbs.).
