95 240sx; ka24de timing chain question

[twofourtyesex]

So I have a 95 240sx and I'm replacing the head in it. I'm trying no to have to open the lowere timing chain cover since it was just changed by my buddy, and I don't want to mess with the oil pan, power-steering, etc.I'm almost possitive that my friend did not match up the silver notch where it shoulod be in regards to TDC. Now, since there's only one gear currently attached to it(Obviously the cams aren't in), can I just place the cam gears in the right place and make sure that there's the right amount of links between them (so the slack is in the right place), or do I have to take the lower cover off and adjust the chain just so that I can guide off the silver links? I have a factory manual, so if I don't use the shiny links I can still count the actual number of linksThanks

[180fan]

don't risk doing a timing chain job twice or busting up the internals. Pull the front cover and do the job the right way. You'll spend alot more time with an effed up timing chain trying to figure out what's going on and complaining why it's running like crap if you botch this up.

[NISTECH]

I did mine without puling the cover. But there is alot of caution needed when you are tearing down the head for removal. Since you are past that point and are uncertain as to weather the chain has slipped and it sounds as if you didnt mark anything tearing it down. Your best bet is to start from scratch with the lower chain as 180fan said.

[fabio420]

So where should the silver chain link at the crank gear be when the engine is TDC? I know what they should look like at the cam gears, but how does trhat correscpond to the silver link at the bottom gear. I'm installing a new timing chain kit.

[NissanQuickLubeDrifter]

hey the timing belt problem is not the timing belt but the sliders on it there is 2 replace both of them and your rattling noise will go away..will post intructions later

BY THE WAY WHERE ARE YOU? THE GUY WITH THE BLACK CONVERT 92 240sx?

[NISTECH]

Here william let me save you some time.zerothread?id=105618

[fabio420]

So where should the silver chain link at the crank gear be when the engine is TDC? I know what they should look like at the cam gears, but how does trhat correscpond to the silver link at the bottom gear. I'm installing a new timing chain kit.

what about this?

[NISTECH]

Oh sorry Thought the artical covered the whole job. Here ya go.

[slipnfall]

BTW I didn't think there was enough room on the lower cover to allow the chain to come off the sprocket. True? I don't remember if there were any 'chain grabber hooks) when I rebuilt my DE or not(to prevent the chain from backing down).

From what I understand, if you have the head off, just set the engine to TDC. Install head, and idler sprocket. Then when you install the cams, just make sure both #1 lobes are pointed directly opposing each other.(9 and 3 'clock). You can use the marks on the upper chain to make sure they are spaced correctly. **please verify before actually doing this! I was fortunate enough to have my engine on a stand when I did my timing job. **