Guys-

Was diving my truck today and an odd noise started. Form what I can tell I think it's the timinig chain/box. Engine seems to be running fine at all rpms but it sounds like something loose and grinding. Can anybody confirm that I'm making sence?

The attached pic is what's making the noise. Wonderful little box with the serial plate on it.

 

That's your timing case. These motors have gears, not a chain. What year truck is it? If it's a 12 valve it could be the KDP (killer dowel pin)

 

It's an 89. 350LE 4x4 SRW. Truck has about 170k on it, motors never been touched to my knowledge. (I've owned it three years and was previously a Chrysler dealer service managers)

 

You should stop driving it! Until you narrow down the noise, until checked you could be causing more damage.
Do a search on "KDP or Killer dowel pin", not sure if it affects your year engine or not

 

From the threads I see sounds as if it's 89-99 (roughly) 12V trucks. I'm not sure if this is the issue but perhaps it's a start. I'll check for a pool of oil in the morning.

Based on the fact that the engine is running fine I'll assume I haven't broke or stripped a timing gear in the box.

Anybody else have any ideas?

 

but it's not running fine, it's making a strange noise from behind the gear cover ! you answered your own question,

 

The pool of oil typically occurs after that pin you've been hearing rattling around in there gets wedged and breaks the timing case and sometimes causes all sorts of mayhem where it will not run right (if at all) at worst and will leak oil like a sieve at best. Would not run it again until you were able to pull the cover off the timing case and see what is rattling around

 

Good advice on not driving till you find out what's rattling around.
Loose parts in that part of the engine can cause serve damage, maybe even requiring complete engine replacement.

 

KDP can affect any truck up to and through 2002.

Dave

 

It might not be the KDP... I have seen lots of 12Vs and 24s have the inside timing cover bolts back out .some causing big$ repairs ..DON'T drive it or start it! pull the timing cover off and look real close for loose bolts around and behind the gears. if you find some clean and locktight them in.