New to the Z World: Timing reset advice
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Joined: Jul 2011
Posts: 2
From: Portland Oregon
New to the Z World: Timing reset advice
First of all, thank you for viewing. I just bout a 78 280z and we decided to do away with the stock intake and get a custom header. When doing so we changed the head gasket and resurfaced the head/block ourselves with the available materials. We discovered that the fool who sold us the car had broken several head bolts down below and we had to take care of them the best way we could. The first bolt came out no problem, there was plenty to grab and we easily spun it out. However the second one proved to be much more difficult. The previous owner broke an easy-out into the block and then plastered over it with gasket sealer.... 
after hours of cussing and breaking drill bits we managed to get the remaining fragments out and retread the block. Pain in the *** but no big deal... Once we got the head cleaned up and mounted with the fresh, copper coated gasket, we realized that somewhere along the way, the dowel that we used to keep the chain tensioner from collapsing diapered and im not sure if the tensioner has popped out or not. We've tried prying the chain apart and placing the dowel back between the chain but im not positive. This is my first project car as well as my first Z. I assume there's something wrong because i cant for the life of me get the timing sprocket back on the cam. It came off with a tap of a hammer and now it seems impossible to put it back on. I've decided to stop work until i know what should be done. I'd hate to do the wrong thing in this situation.
anyone who's done this, please give me some advice. This is my dream car and right now its one of the most important things in my life. i'd hate to ruin it. Thanks for your time.
after hours of cussing and breaking drill bits we managed to get the remaining fragments out and retread the block. Pain in the *** but no big deal... Once we got the head cleaned up and mounted with the fresh, copper coated gasket, we realized that somewhere along the way, the dowel that we used to keep the chain tensioner from collapsing diapered and im not sure if the tensioner has popped out or not. We've tried prying the chain apart and placing the dowel back between the chain but im not positive. This is my first project car as well as my first Z. I assume there's something wrong because i cant for the life of me get the timing sprocket back on the cam. It came off with a tap of a hammer and now it seems impossible to put it back on. I've decided to stop work until i know what should be done. I'd hate to do the wrong thing in this situation.anyone who's done this, please give me some advice. This is my dream car and right now its one of the most important things in my life. i'd hate to ruin it. Thanks for your time.
The Good Twin
Joined: Aug 2005
Posts: 20,639
From: Wild Wild West, UTAH!
Welcome to ZDriver! 
Unfortunately, if the chain dropped, the spring tensioner did pop out, and the only way to re-install it is to pull the front timing cover. Since your head is already on, you have two options:
#1: Pull the head back off, destroying the head gasket.
#2: Loosen the oil pan so you can drop the front of it & get the cover out & back in w/o destroying the oil pan gasket (you will still need to apply a little RTV).
Unfortunately, if the chain dropped, the spring tensioner did pop out, and the only way to re-install it is to pull the front timing cover. Since your head is already on, you have two options:
#1: Pull the head back off, destroying the head gasket.
#2: Loosen the oil pan so you can drop the front of it & get the cover out & back in w/o destroying the oil pan gasket (you will still need to apply a little RTV).
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