CPS or Cam Synch Brand Experience Thread?

[Wudman]

New to the forums, old to Rangers having had four that have served me a qualified "well".

I am in the process of a cross country road trip, IL to CA via Las Vegas and all has been exceptional until I left Flagstaff when the truck started doing random "jerks" while climbing grades to Kingman. I am towing heavy and packed as well. The truck is a 3.0 Vulcan XL with 115K, automatic and the factory tow. I honestly thought the previous four hours of climbing into 30mph headwinds may have contributed to a faulty transmission since no codes were spawned.

Got to Kingman and since it was Saturday night, decided to see if I could make a safe harbor in Vegas. Made it in one piece with only one additional "jerk".

Just so happens that enroute from Kingman to Vegas, the truck popped the P0304 code which we all know and hate. This is where the issue of a brand reliability thread would be helpful. Between Autozon, Orielly's, NAPA, ect, there are tons of brands of the same thing showing a wide range of prices. Add Amazon and Rock Auto and it gets pretty nutty. Not everyone wants to pop for the OEM Motorcraft for $100 (Rock Auto) when brands like Richporter Technology, Standard Brands, and Cardone are half the discounted Motorcraft part. In particular I am seeing Richporter Cam Synchronizer at $38 on Amazon shipped free (via Prime) and that appears to have a new CPS.

So does anyone know jack about Richporter Technology? Also, as a newbie to the forums, did I just not find a thread where folks rant or rave about brands other than Dorman POS? I'll spend for the Motorcraft, but like most, would rather buy $50 worth of beer with the savings.

Note I have no squeaks, but reading here about Cam Synch failures, it seems cheap PM to just replace the whole assembly with 115k on the odo.

Thanks
The Wud

Currently (slowly, sometimes very slowly) rocking my little '01 Ranger 3.0 across the country towing a 5x8 enclosed trailer packed to the max. 14.7 mpg average! 21 without the trailer, kayak and loaded camper.
Previous Rangers..
86 2.8 5 spd 4x4 - good truck till the 5 spd dropped 5th.
89 2.3 5 spd 3x4 - good and noisey till the 5 spd well, see above..
85 2.3 auto - good, noisy and slow.

 

[Rearanger]

I understand your confusion on price versus quality. I recently looked at RockAuto for a cam syncro and decided on a Standard Motor product, not the highest price not the lowest and a 3 year warranty.

Part arrived with metal chips in the bag and burrs on the inside of the oil pump drive shaft. I returned it but at least found out my Motorcraft original was OK.

Motorcraft only offers 1 year warranty. There seems no connection to quality and selling features. It seems it's just price point. Motorcraft certainly doesn't try to justify it's price. I've used Standard Motor parts in the past with good success, this one however did not make any QC checks.

I can just wish you luck, because that's all it seems to be.

 

[tbone88]

I bought one from NAPA and it has worked fine minus the oil leak. It took me forever to figure out where the oil was leaking from. Replaced the rear main seal and the valve cover gaskets before I figured it out. Stay away from the NAPA replacement.