No codes, 98 Ranger 3.0 timing is off

[Vern.P]

Hey all, new Ranger owner here. I'm not all that UP on vehicles electronics.
I think the cam chain has jumped time but with all the electronics one vehicles these days, on the road diagnosis just not simple anymore.
QUESTION IS... Is the more than timing chain & Cam Sync that would make the engine sound like timing is off?
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SITUATION:
From a stoplight, normal acceleration, 200 ft later engine quits without any odd sounds. Attempted to restart, nothing. Popped the hood, pulled a plug wire noticed there was no spark. Walked for parts, Coil Pack and Crank Sensor. Changed the CS, got orange spark. Changed the CP, nice blue spark. Now the engine has that distinctive action a timing chain is off a couple teeth. Cranking, turns over 1 or 2 revolutions then abruptly stops. No backfire, just stops.
It has good spark and fuel pressure.
Top dead centered the harmonic balancer. Popped the cam sync cap and the TAB is in it's proper place, tight (not wiggling) and shaft is centered.
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NOW that it's getting warm enough to work under the shade tree, I'd like this truck running.
Original owner took care of it up to 145K, now 180K (LOTS of receipts).

 

[sheep herder]

Cranking, turns over 1 or 2 revolutions then abruptly stops.

Are you saying that the starter is turning the motor and then stopping or does the engine start and run momentarily?

 

[Vern.P]

Starter turns the motor over like normal. The engine simply will not start. At cranking it sounds like it's trying to start but abruptly stops.
Pull the plug wires off, engine turns over say 150 RPM. Wires in, it turns over say 300 RPMs. So it's trying to start but won't.

 

[Dirtman]

Do the 50/50 test. Aka spray starting fluid in the intake and see if starts for a second. This will confirm if it's spark or fuel issue. Very hard for a 3.0 to be out of time since those chains can very very very rarely jump. It's simply too short. Over head cam engines can jump but pushrod motors would be clanking and banging long before the chain was bad enough to jump.

 

[Vern.P]

Did the Carb Cleaner in the intake spark check when it broke down on the road both before parts and after. That's where I then 'check list' next the Coil Pack & Crank Sensor.
This is not an OHV engine... lucky me.
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MY MISTAKE.
It's not an OHC engine.
Kinda surprised no one caught that.
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[sheep herder]

Oh it's absolutely an OHV engine. Spraying carb cleaner in the intake won't do it. You need starting fluid or gasoline.

 

[Dirtman]

All ranger 3.0s are OHV engines.

 

[Vern.P]

Anyone have anything CONSTRUCTIVE to say?
Original question...
QUESTION IS... Is the more than timing chain & Cam Sync that would make the engine sound like timing is off?
I have the Vin letter - 'U'.

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8th place vin letter is...
U - Vulcan 3.0 ohv
2 - Vulcan 3.0 ohv FFV
S - Duratec 3.0 dohc

 

[Vern.P]

To whom it may concern...
TRUCK SOLD

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[stmitch]

To whom it may concern...
TRUCK SOLD

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Were you able to get it running normally before you sold it?

 

[Vern.P]

Were you able to get it running normally before you sold it?

No.
Every time I walked out to it, looked at it a few moments thinking all the previous parts & tests... I walked away. It was like a plague I didn't want to touch. I may have left my Shumacher 10-50-100 Boost charger under the hood. Certain items I always have backups.
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When I first got it, getting into the rear area I was spry enough to twist & reach. But that seat wouldn't slide & tilt far enough forward for my Trump size torso. In general that SuperCab 2 door isn't a good design for growing elderly. I had a chance getting a SuperCab suicide door cab, thought about all I'd have to exchange, walked away. Obviously I've done enough crawling under, rolling round cold concrete floors, etc..
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The ultimate issue was, breaking down in some remote area & an electronic part goes out. Never had an issue with pre-electronic vehicles, solder this or braze that, even sandpaper or filing down contacts I got vehicles running. Maintenance was higher but it kept me abreast of collateral items. Older vehicles there was space to store a gallon of antifreeze concentrate & 6 qts oil with filter under the hood. SO MUCH WKRP on these new vehicles is simply crazy.
Ya...long post for such a short answer... woops.
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I have low mileage spare parts for sale, should post in this forum.
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