KA24E setting timing after replacing broken timing chain

[jonathan1173]

I have a Nissan XE pickup 4cyl 2wd. I had replaced timing chain, tensioner, and guides a month ago. Unfortunately, the tensioner was faulty and the chain broke! I've put new parts on and buttoned it up. My question is: How do you set the timing chain to the correct position when cam/crank have moved?I've removed valve cover, set cams with #1 lobes facing out, pulled cam sprocket and chain, then gradually rotated crankshaft 1 to 2 teeth at a time. I've gotten truck to idle but it stalls under load when I try to move it.Each time, I place crank, rotor, piston to TDC, then adjust chain on cam +/- a tooth, then crank er up. Any pointers?

[Rev_D21]

There are colored links on the chain that have to line up with the dimple marks on both cam and crank sprockets. Once those are set then you have to set TDC using the marks on the balancer. Once you have that straight then you have to point the dist. rotor at the #1 firing position (looking at the cap will help you know where that is). Have someone hold the rotor in that position while you install the oil pump. There is a tiny amount of wiggle room to make this happen. If you go off a tooth the engine timing will be off. Stop changing teeth at the cam, line up the colored link and leave it from there. Try turning the crankshaft 720 degrees by wrench to check if the links still line up.

[jonathan1173]

I did have to rotate the cam a bit when replacing broken chain. I lined marks top and bottom, set to TDC, and set oil pump and distributor to#1.I cranked and it wouldnt start! That is when I started adjusting teeth.I do have the valve cover just sitting on top of head with two bolts to hold it down temporarily. Do you suppose air/vac leak getting into valvecover could affect timing, power? I'll check with vac gauge and reinstall valvecover seal, then checkI do have the truck idling smoothly, and running, but with hesitation on acceleration, with distributor all the way advanced. I have it narrowed down to two teeth: Left to right, 4 different teeth, I'm on #3. If I put it on 1 or 4, it doesnt start. 2 or 3 it runs, but hesitates, with dist advanced all the way. If I retard dist, it wont start on 2 or 3, much less 1 or 4.

[Rev_D21]

If the dis. is all the way advanced you have the oil pump installed wrong. Back it out, set the crank to TDC, set dis. rotor to #1 then re-install oil pump.

[jonathan1173]

That makes sense, I remember having to adjust oilpump/dist last time. It ties into the crankshaft and is yet one more thing that could be off that would affect engine timing. I'll give it a try this weekend.Would you happen to know which way to turn rotor once oilpump is backed out in order to advance timing. The rotor turns counterclockwise so I would guess turning it ccw would result in advancing the timing once oilpump is reinstalled.