Timing Chain Slack

280zx2by2 · 03-07-2010, 10:58 AM

Ok I got my head on and everything was going good untill I went to slide the cam sprocket back on and I didnt have enough slack in the timing chain to put it back on.

I understand now that I should have left the wooden stake in to keep the tensioner tight but as of know what can I do to? Im about a 1/4 of an inch away from being able to get the cam sprocket onto the cam but since I have never taken the timing chain cover off I have no idea how the tensioning system looks/works or how to fix it.

I'm really stuck here and have no idea what to do.

EDIT: Chiltons sucks bizzalls on the tensioning system and I can't find my Haynes.

NismoPick · 03-07-2010, 11:31 AM

Buahahha! Did you read this? http://zdriver.com/forums/showpost.p...92&postcount=3

If you took off the cam sprocket and didn't have a block in between the chain, the tensioner popped out and you get to remove the timing cover to reset it... which also means you get to remove the head again, or remove the oil pan, or risk killing the headgasket / oil pan gasket when you re-install the timing cover.

It pays to read the manual.

280zx2by2 · 03-07-2010, 12:02 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by NismoPick

Buahahha! Did you read this? http://zdriver.com/forums/showpost.p...92&postcount=3

If you took off the cam sprocket and didn't have a block in between the chain, the tensioner popped out and you get to remove the timing cover to reset it... which also means you get to remove the head again, or remove the oil pan, or risk killing the headgasket / oil pan gasket when you re-install the timing cover.

It pays to read the manual.

I did read the manual but it didn't say anything about the tensioner, just to keep the chain tight against the crank sprocket... Dumbass chiltons I want to kill every single one of them that made that book....

So there's no way to reset the tesioner without taking the head off?

EDIT* But from what I hear you saying I can poshibly get the timing chain cover off just by removing the oil pan?

thetremendousti · 03-07-2010, 12:24 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 280zx2by2

I did read the manual but it didn't say anything about the tensioner, just to keep the chain tight against the crank sprocket... Dumbass chiltons I want to kill every single one of them that made that book....

So there's no way to reset the tesioner without taking the head off?

EDIT* But from what I hear you saying I can poshibly get the timing chain cover off just by removing the oil pan?

hahaahaahahahaeha

how many times has it been mentioned that while removing the head or timing chain to ALWAYS USE THE SACRED WOOD CHUCK!!!!

you could try the oil pan but that tension is really hard to reach, not impossible but...imo just read the haynes next time, hell read any thread about head removal....hahahahahhha sucks for you man

SHADY280 · 03-07-2010, 12:25 PM

nope youre pulling stuff apart, there is no half way about fixing it now you may be able to shine a light down to confirm it poped out, but it most likely did.

280zx2by2 · 03-07-2010, 12:32 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by thetremendousti

hahaahaahahahaeha

how many times has it been mentioned that while removing the head or timing chain to ALWAYS USE THE SACRED WOOD CHUCK!!!!

you could try the oil pan but that tension is really hard to reach, not impossible but...imo just read the haynes next time, hell read any thread about head removal....hahahahahhha sucks for you man

I have read them, just never read where there was emphasis on the wooden steak's importance of keeping the tensioner in place, I thought it was just to keep the chain on the crank sprocket...

Quote:

Originally Posted by SHADY280

nope youre pulling stuff apart, there is no half way about fixing it now you may be able to shine a light down to confirm it poped out, but it most likely did.

If I can see it wobbling and can push it back an forth with a screw driver is it popped out?

Im reading my half assed chiltons book and im thinking about just pulling the pan and timing cover w/o pulling the head.

anyone know what size the crank pulley bolt is? Ill have to go buy a socket that big lol

hoov100 · 03-07-2010, 03:12 PM

If I remember, it was only like 22mm, as for pulling the pan or head to remove the timing cover, remove it and cut the front of the oil pan gasket and just silicone the **** out of everything and it shouldn't leak.

280zx2by2 · 03-07-2010, 04:43 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by hoov100

If I remember, it was only like 22mm, as for pulling the pan or head to remove the timing cover, remove it and cut the front of the oil pan gasket and just silicone the **** out of everything and it shouldn't leak.

Idk about the last part but 22mm sounds right, Couldn't I just snake the new gasket around the baffle?

Im so pissed that I was less than a 1/4 of an inch away from being done and now it sounds like Im going to have to spend another couple weeks on this slow pos...

hoov100 · 03-07-2010, 05:10 PM

I tried once, its too tight of a fit to just jiggle it in there.

snwbrderphat540 · 03-07-2010, 05:27 PM

just do it over ground up. these are super simple motors with just a retarded tensioner. shit every Z i've owned i've pulled the motor on, its takes 2 hours. i understand if you cant do that but with the radiator out and the hood off you have plenty of room to do the timing chain crap.

speaking of which, i should start piecing together a new timing chain setup for my turbo motor. i will be having fun with that lol.

280zx2by2 · 03-07-2010, 05:48 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by hoov100

I tried once, its too tight of a fit to just jiggle it in there.

Well don't call me crazy but... Cut the new gasket and slide it in? simple as that? little extra silicon around where you cut it and bam! youre done.

Quote:

Originally Posted by snwbrderphat540

just do it over ground up. these are super simple motors with just a retarded tensioner. shit every Z i've owned i've pulled the motor on, its takes 2 hours. i understand if you cant do that but with the radiator out and the hood off you have plenty of room to do the timing chain crap.

speaking of which, i should start piecing together a new timing chain setup for my turbo motor. i will be having fun with that lol.

I don't even have a garage, im doing this outside on a tarp with some ramps... And I don't exactly have a hoist to take the engine out with.. can I borrow your dads?

Haha good luck with the turbo build though.

Someone please buy this for me and send it to my house... hell, Ill even pay for the shipping

snwbrderphat540 · 03-07-2010, 07:04 PM

yeah that tensioner setup is nice... me wanty myself, but soooo much money for a tensioner lol. and bitch that hoist is both of ours!!!! split even steven and the engine stand is mine alone. so suck it haha.

thetremendousti · 03-07-2010, 07:11 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 280zx2by2

anyone know what size the crank pulley bolt is? Ill have to go buy a socket that big lol

your going to want a 27mm for the crank pulley (i got a 1 1/16" same thing)

22mm is 02 sensor....

NismoPick · 03-07-2010, 09:20 PM

2by2... if your oil pan gasket is in good shape, you can loosen all the bolts on the oil pan & lower the front just enough to slide the timing cover back in place. If it's the stock one, don't count on it working.

You COULD shloob the crap out of the timing cover to oil pan flange with RTV, but that's not a great idea as that may allow excess RTV to get into the oil.

Cali79zx · 03-08-2010, 12:53 AM

Well, Im glad to see that I'm not the only one that did this. lol. unfortunately your probably gonna have to take the front cover off to back the tension off. Thats what everyone I've talked to said, so that's what im doin at the moment. Let me know how it goes and good luck =)

EDIT: The crankshaft pulley bolt is 27mm. Trust me, I bought like 3 different sizes to get the right one. hahaha

thetremendousti · 03-08-2010, 07:12 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Cali79zx

EDIT: The crankshaft pulley bolt is 27mm. Trust me, I bought like 3 different sizes to get the right one. hahaha

just use a ruler next time hahahahaha!!!

okay so i had a dream and i just woke up from it, okay so along with some really ridiculous stuff part of my dream consisted of opening my valve cover and finding out that I had slack on both ends of my timing chain, and when I pulled them I heard the tensioner lose slack and it was still hanging on by a thread and when I went to go try to fix it, it was like defusing a bomb and it came fully apart it was a terrible dream completely inspired by this thread

280zx2by2 · 03-08-2010, 12:45 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Cali79zx

EDIT: The crankshaft pulley bolt is 27mm. Trust me, I bought like 3 different sizes to get the right one. hahaha

Haha your trial & error, my benefit.

Thank you lol and Ill keep you updated.

Quote:

Originally Posted by thetremendousti

just use a ruler next time hahahahaha!!!

okay so i had a dream and i just woke up from it, okay so along with some really ridiculous stuff part of my dream consisted of opening my valve cover and finding out that I had slack on both ends of my timing chain, and when I pulled them I heard the tensioner lose slack and it was still hanging on by a thread and when I went to go try to fix it, it was like defusing a bomb and it came fully apart it was a terrible dream completely inspired by this thread

Um, Kinda sounds like you need to take a break from working on your car. haha

280zx2by2 · 03-13-2010, 02:03 PM

NismoPick · 03-13-2010, 02:30 PM

Lesson learned eh?

Cali79zx · 03-13-2010, 02:54 PM

That is almost exactly what mine looked like when i got the timing cover off. except the tensioner was bent down lol. the spring in the tensioner was jacked up so I had to get a new one.

280zx2by2 · 03-13-2010, 04:18 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by NismoPick

Lesson learned eh?

Soo many lessons learned... you have no idea. well maybe you do. haha

Cali79zx · 03-13-2010, 04:57 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 280zx2by2

Soo many lessons learned... you have no idea. well maybe you do. haha

oh trust me, I learned and I'm pretty sure I have an idea of just how many you learned too hahaha

280zx2by2 · 03-14-2010, 09:41 AM

Well I figured Id do this right and get my timing where it should

So the best thread I have found for cam timing is Shady's, I sent him a PM but he hasn't gotten back to me.

But my questions are in regards to his thread about timing chain stretch.

http://zdriver.com/forums/showthread...+chain+tension

When he says the mark should be to the left, is this that left? Or is this the wrong way and my chain has too much slack?

And if it is as for the directions to fixing the issue what does he mean by "Remove the cam bolt, pump eccentric and cam sprocket and advance it to the next position"?

03-07-2010, 10:58 AM	#1
280zx2by2 Epicly Banned Join Date: Jun 2008 Location: Valdosta GA Posts: 2,225	Timing Chain Slack Ok I got my head on and everything was going good untill I went to slide the cam sprocket back on and I didnt have enough slack in the timing chain to put it back on. I understand now that I should have left the wooden stake in to keep the tensioner tight but as of know what can I do to? Im about a 1/4 of an inch away from being able to get the cam sprocket onto the cam but since I have never taken the timing chain cover off I have no idea how the tensioning system looks/works or how to fix it. I'm really stuck here and have no idea what to do. EDIT: Chiltons sucks bizzalls on the tensioning system and I can't find my Haynes. __________________ UY! ES NO FRIO!!!!

03-07-2010, 11:31 AM	#2
NismoPick The Good Twin Join Date: Aug 2005 Location: Bountiful, UTAH! Posts: 14,955	Buahahha! Did you read this? http://zdriver.com/forums/showpost.p...92&postcount=3 If you took off the cam sprocket and didn't have a block in between the chain, the tensioner popped out and you get to remove the timing cover to reset it... which also means you get to remove the head again, or remove the oil pan, or risk killing the headgasket / oil pan gasket when you re-install the timing cover. It pays to read the manual. __________________ www.cardomain.com/id/nismopick

03-07-2010, 03:12 PM	#7
hoov100 Registered User Join Date: Sep 2005 Location: palm desert Posts: 5,049	If I remember, it was only like 22mm, as for pulling the pan or head to remove the timing cover, remove it and cut the front of the oil pan gasket and just silicone the **** out of everything and it shouldn't leak. __________________ ./ ./,====="---> <"))))>< .·`·.><(((º>..· ><(((º> /_/

03-07-2010, 05:10 PM	#9
hoov100 Registered User Join Date: Sep 2005 Location: palm desert Posts: 5,049	I tried once, its too tight of a fit to just jiggle it in there. __________________ ./ ./,====="---> <"))))>< .·`·.><(((º>..· ><(((º> /_/

03-07-2010, 05:27 PM	#10
snwbrderphat540 Über User Join Date: Sep 2005 Location: lemont, Illinois Posts: 8,969	just do it over ground up. these are super simple motors with just a retarded tensioner. shit every Z i've owned i've pulled the motor on, its takes 2 hours. i understand if you cant do that but with the radiator out and the hood off you have plenty of room to do the timing chain crap. speaking of which, i should start piecing together a new timing chain setup for my turbo motor. i will be having fun with that lol. __________________ but I'm truly a ricer...

03-07-2010, 07:04 PM	#12
snwbrderphat540 Über User Join Date: Sep 2005 Location: lemont, Illinois Posts: 8,969	yeah that tensioner setup is nice... me wanty myself, but soooo much money for a tensioner lol. and bitch that hoist is both of ours!!!! split even steven and the engine stand is mine alone. so suck it haha. __________________ but I'm truly a ricer...

03-07-2010, 09:20 PM	#14
NismoPick The Good Twin Join Date: Aug 2005 Location: Bountiful, UTAH! Posts: 14,955	2by2... if your oil pan gasket is in good shape, you can loosen all the bolts on the oil pan & lower the front just enough to slide the timing cover back in place. If it's the stock one, don't count on it working. You COULD shloob the crap out of the timing cover to oil pan flange with RTV, but that's not a great idea as that may allow excess RTV to get into the oil. __________________ www.cardomain.com/id/nismopick

03-08-2010, 12:53 AM	#15
Cali79zx Registered User Join Date: Oct 2009 Location: Modesto, CA Posts: 43	Well, Im glad to see that I'm not the only one that did this. lol. unfortunately your probably gonna have to take the front cover off to back the tension off. Thats what everyone I've talked to said, so that's what im doin at the moment. Let me know how it goes and good luck =) EDIT: The crankshaft pulley bolt is 27mm. Trust me, I bought like 3 different sizes to get the right one. hahaha Last edited by Cali79zx; 03-08-2010 at 12:56 AM.

03-13-2010, 02:03 PM	#18
280zx2by2 Epicly Banned Join Date: Jun 2008 Location: Valdosta GA Posts: 2,225	__________________ UY! ES NO FRIO!!!!

03-13-2010, 02:30 PM	#19
NismoPick The Good Twin Join Date: Aug 2005 Location: Bountiful, UTAH! Posts: 14,955	Lesson learned eh? __________________ www.cardomain.com/id/nismopick

03-13-2010, 02:54 PM	#20
Cali79zx Registered User Join Date: Oct 2009 Location: Modesto, CA Posts: 43	That is almost exactly what mine looked like when i got the timing cover off. except the tensioner was bent down lol. the spring in the tensioner was jacked up so I had to get a new one.

03-14-2010, 09:41 AM	#23
280zx2by2 Epicly Banned Join Date: Jun 2008 Location: Valdosta GA Posts: 2,225	Well I figured Id do this right and get my timing where it should So the best thread I have found for cam timing is Shady's, I sent him a PM but he hasn't gotten back to me. But my questions are in regards to his thread about timing chain stretch. http://zdriver.com/forums/showthread...+chain+tension When he says the mark should be to the left, is this that left? Or is this the wrong way and my chain has too much slack? And if it is as for the directions to fixing the issue what does he mean by "Remove the cam bolt, *pump* eccentric and cam sprocket and advance it to the next position"? __________________ UY! ES NO FRIO!!!!

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