It depends on which engine you have The 4.0 L OHV and 5.0 L V8 engines are a little less complicated The 4.0 L SOHC engine has 3 timing chains - the main timing chain from the crankshaft to a jackshaft (which is located where the camshaft is on the 4.0 L OHV ) , a second timing chain from the jackshaft to the driver's side cylinder head at the front of the engine, and a third timing chain from the jackshaft to the passenger side cylinder head at the back of the engine , which involves removing the engine.
Timing chain.
The 5.0 L ( 302 cubic inch ) V8 engine has 1 timing chain
The 4.0 liter - OHV - engine has ( 1 ) timing chain The 4.0 liter - SOHC - engine has ( 3 ) timing chains The 5.0 liter - V8 engine - has ( 1 ) timing chain
Timing chain
Normally a timing chain will last the life of the engine and is replaced during a complete engine rebuild. No maintenance is normally required.
The Ford 4.0 liter SOHC engine has ( 3 ) timing CHAINS
1998 i30 has timing chain. just confirmed from my dealer.
chain
It has a timing chain and gears.
A timing CHAIN
It uses a timing chain
The Ford 4.0 liter OHV , V6 engine has ( 1 ) timing chain ( but the 1998 Ford Explorer XLT model , if it has the 4.0 liter V6 engine , would have the SOHC engine which has ( 3 ) timing chains )