Chain guides, Chain guides, valve covers...

[jimbyjimb]

Been a while since I posted on this but my Q is finally almost together again. Have the front covers back on, should have the valve cover on soon and then it's just waiting for the plenum hoses. Funny how it goes back together so much easier. What I thought was once a little space has turned into a mansion of room. Yesterday, after I got the lower front cover back on, I dropped a bolt down it like a butterfingers. Thankfully it came out with a magnet, but I was swearing hard that I wouldn't have to pull the cover back off. If my hoses get here I should be done by this weekend if not before. Finally.

[qsiguy]

Glad to hear of your success. I noticed that too, it goes back together much easier than it comes apart. I didn't even end up with any extra screws when I did my plenum and valve cover gaskets.

You are going to love it when you are done. It's a good feeling to get that job under your belt.

[elwesso]

it does certainly give you a certain level of appreciation once that job is done... good luck and be sure to triple check everything!!!

[jimbyjimb]

Q should be running tomorrow. Need to reinstall plenum, radiator, drive belts and bleed brakes. All new plugs, rubber, right valve cover re-sealed and guides done. FYI, anyone else who does this, just make your own hoses, much cheaper than buying them. Was pleased to find some new-to-me toys at CarQuest-a mild steel strip backing on a spring, used to mold the hoses. Works very well. Had to make a few since the under-plenum kit didn't come with all I needed. Wish I'd have made them all. The EGR passage took 10 minutes to clean since it was totally plugged. The throttle body wasn't too bad, all the ports were clean. 3 cans of brake clean down and 1 of carb/choke cleaner. Looking forward to actually driving the car I bought.

[maxnix]

right valve cover re-sealed.

Do the left (driver's?) one also unless you want to be back real soon!

[craigztoyz]

I am expecting my guides to be delivered by the Brown Santa(UPS) today. got the balancer off last night. A little impact gun, and bolt came right off, balancer was a breeze too. Got the covers off, cleaned a bit, and can't wait to have this part over. Do you have to pull the Oil pump chain to do the drivers-side guide? I am sure that is a big yes, so do you pull the nut, and sprocket, and then just put them back on the pump? Is there an easy way to lock the pump, or just putting something in there to stop the rotation.

[jimbyjimb]

if it ain't broke, don't fix it.

[Overcamber]

I am expecting my guides to be delivered by the Brown Santa(UPS) today. got the balancer off last night. A little impact gun, and bolt came right off, balancer was a breeze too. Got the covers off, cleaned a bit, and can't wait to have this part over. Do you have to pull the Oil pump chain to do the drivers-side guide? I am sure that is a big yes, so do you pull the nut, and sprocket, and then just put them back on the pump? Is there an easy way to lock the pump, or just putting something in there to stop the rotation.

is there a mechanical adjustment for the chain tensioners in the front cover>? under those small covers?

[Q45tech]

NO adjustment oil pressure driven.................the covers were for something else that didn't get included in final design. Just left to avoid a new clean front design.

[Overcamber]

geez thats sad to hear...I'm going to be checking it out further on Saturday..its actually 4 hours away .....in other words , I take it that what your saying is if their is cam chain ticking nothing can be done except complete removel and replacement?..

[maxnix]

NO adjustment oil pressure driven.................the covers were for something else that didn't get included in final design.

I wonder what? Hmmmm......

[maxnix]

.....in other words , I take it that what your saying is if their is cam chain ticking nothing can be done except complete removel and replacement?..

Why new camshaft drive chain tension adjusters are always recommended.

[snobrder]

Q should be running tomorrow. Need to reinstall plenum, radiator, drive belts and bleed brakes. All new plugs, rubber, right valve cover re-sealed and guides done. FYI, anyone else who does this, just make your own hoses, much cheaper than buying them. Was pleased to find some new-to-me toys at CarQuest-a mild steel strip backing on a spring, used to mold the hoses. Works very well. Had to make a few since the under-plenum kit didn't come with all I needed. Wish I'd have made them all. The EGR passage took 10 minutes to clean since it was totally plugged. The throttle body wasn't too bad, all the ports were clean. 3 cans of brake clean down and 1 of carb/choke cleaner. Looking forward to actually driving the car I bought.

Wait wait wait, you made all your own hoses? How did they hold up? And can you tell me what that tool is you bought?

[jimbyjimb]

Not sure what they're called but they look like springs with a steel backing and they slide OVER the hose. They can't quite pull a 90 degree bend w/o kinking, however, so some pre-molded hoses will still be needed. Just go to your local auto parts store, preferably Car Quest. The dorks at Schucks will probably shoot you a stupid look as the drool forms in the corners of their mouths, falls to the floor and begins to puddle silently by the crappy Exide batteries where some poor, poor child will be playing with jumper cables. NAPA is also a good place to go. Wish I could remember what they're called... One of the best parts is that you can buy better quality rubber hose that will last longer and mold it yourself. I try to use transmission line for the small stuff since it has alot of shielding and is total unnecessary overkill for a vacuum hose or coolant hose.

[maxnix]

Vacuum hose is cheap from Joe if you buy the Nissan bulk via part number. Same for fuel hose.

[snobrder]

Vacuum hose is cheap from Joe if you buy the Nissan bulk via part number. Same for fuel hose.

Yea but by the time you pay shipping there is no point.

[snobrder]

I think I found it! http://www.goodyearep.com/Prod...15002

[qship96]

Not sure I would want to wrap my hoses with a STEEL spring as the metal will conduct and hold more of the massive under hood/plenum heat, leading to even shorter hose life.

[maxnix]

Yea but by the time you pay shipping there is no point.

Actually there is as Joe sells it to us for 15% less than my local shop can get it from the local dealer at jobber rates. Never onesy twosey with Joe, always order in bulk and get good rates on shipping, especially when he runs specials.

[snobrder]

Ok its either what I posted above or this, Gates Unicoil http://www.gates-unicoil.com/

[qship96]

looks no better or worse than the other one you posted, but much worse than the Nissan original correct molded ones.

[maxnix]

looks no better or worse than the other one you posted, but much worse than the Nissan original correct molded ones.

There is a reason why some of those hoses are specifically molded.
Modified by maxnix at 12:04 PM 8/2/2008

[jimbyjimb]

Either one is sufficient. I used the Gates. You're still going to have to buy some of the molded hoses, but these will work for others with less/shallower bends. I bought a hose kit and found only 2 or 3 hoses were actually needed, the rest would be easy to fabricate. You'll see what I mean. In particular there are 2 hoses from the valley to the valve covers that need to be OEM molded. The other guys are right in that for minimal flow restriction OEM molded are best, however if it works it works so why not try it and save a crap ton on rubber that 85% of which can be made for a fraction of the cost? Mine work fine. There is no need to spend 5 bucks on one hose that has no bends and is 3 inches long. Same thing for IAC hoses, I made all of my own and they work perfectly. It's not rocket science though some would have you believe so.

[snobrder]

Honestly, a lot of them aren't as "specialized" as people make them out to be.

Buy some top-grade fuel line (I bought Goodyear) and some other assorted, good quality hoses, and order the rest from Joe. I did mine for $100 total.

I think I am just gonna go ahead and make my own

[qship96]

I think I might try to make my own tires next time!!!!

[snobrder]

I think I might try to make my own tires next time!!!!

lol maybe I will try that too!

[jimbyjimb]

I think I might try to make my own tires next time!!!!

Wow.