Adjusting Timing Chain - Help Needed PLZ

[vutony]

To make a long story short, the silver marks on my timing chain is not lined up with the stamped marks on the cam gears and crankand safe way to put in back to the fsm spec. I know that the right way is basically stripping the motor (removing head, intake n exhaust mani, etc.) but i dont want to do this if its a must. I was thinking that i can remove oil pan (drain oil of course), strainer, belts, crank pulley and front oil cover/pump then re-align chain BUT having some doubts that the headgasket will be damage.

Any inputs will be appreciated, thanks in advance.

[Hijacker]

if you pull the front timing cover, you need to remove the upper oil pan. the reason is that you break the gasket seal and need to relay the whole bead. the silicon will have cracks in it where the overlay would be if you didn't reapply the full bead and you would leak oil.

also, it's next to impossible to get the front cover back on without damaging the HG because of the tight clearance.

[vutony]

if you pull the front timing cover, you need to remove the upper oil pan. the reason is that you break the gasket seal and need to relay the whole bead. the silicon will have cracks in it where the overlay would be if you didn't reapply the full bead and you would leak oil.

also, it's next to impossible to get the front cover back on without damaging the HG because of the tight clearance.

so i guess i have to take everything apart to do it right

BUT a fellow zilvian said "Well wut you gotta figure out how far off the chain is all around. Drop the oil pan, the sump and you should be able to see main pulley gear. See how far off the gold link is from the 5 oclock position. Count that and do the same for the silver links for the cams. Thats one other option."

any thoughts, i mite try this first

[driftin_sr20det]

You really shouldn't have to do all that stuff. I would just uninstall the cams and set the crank at TDC. Use your FSM to find out how many rollers are between the marks on your cam gears and reinstall the cams, followed by the tensioner, cas and so on. Time the SOB and you should be good to go. Easiest way without taking the whole thing apart and breaking those numerous seals already spoken about, most of which can be resealed but the seal between the top of the oil pump and the head is really hard to seal again. Good luck

[S13FASTBACKSR]

ya im with driftin_sr20det. I was going to post in on this when it went up but i havent had much experience with this so i didnt want to get flamed. but i was pretty sure you could do it this way. but you wouldnt even have to remove the camshafts would you? just the cam gears? correct me if im wrong

[VitaminT]

It is pretty hard to let the timing chain jump teeth on the crank due to pins that hold the chain close to the gear.

[vutony]

i found the answer on enthapy rs site, similar to to ur idea, thanks