Goof'd while taking out cams, need to know how to proceed.

[240sxracer15]

S13 Sr20Det blacktop - I noticed that my motor was making a ticking sound so I did a bunch of research and came to the conclusion that it was a lifter. So decided I would try and bleed them, keep in mind i'm not the most patient mechanic nor do I know a whole lot and this is my first SR.

Well I took the VC off and all the cam caps then I remembered that I forgot to do TDC. So I figured that since the cams were still attached the the sprockets that they wouldn't move and I'd be able to do it and then take them off the sprockets and continue. Well, when I started spinning the crankshaft I passed TDC (2nd slot on the left) and decided that I would go ahead and just spin it around again until I was there. Well as I was cranking the crank shaft the intake side cam came out of its little housing and popped over next to the exhaust cam, OOPS . If i would of put the cam caps back on, it wouldn't of popped over..too late. Now one important thing to note is that the chain did not come off of the sprocket nor do I believe it skipped any teeth, so I zip tied the chain to the sprockets and left the car like it currently sits. I tried to force the intake cam back over into it's slot but it wouldn't budge so I looked down and noticed that the tensioner was fully extended and that's why I couldn't move the intake back over. I believe when I was cranking it, the tensioner popped open, and that is why the cam moved. So my question is this...I'm a newb at this and I need to know what would be the following steps I should take to just button it all up? I have thought to myself that I could take the tensioner out and then move the cam back over into it's slot but how do I know that it's sitting correctly and that the cam didn't move. I dont even want to bleed the lifters now, I will pay someone for that, I just want to get the motor back in tact as I have a race for cash this weekend. Any help would be greatly appreciated.


How it currently sits!

[blkvrtswp]

I would remove the tensioner and see if the intake cam will drop back in. Then reset and replace the tensioner. Then check the mechanical timing including spinning the engine by hand to verify no valves touch. Good luck.

[240sxracer15]

How do I verify no valves touch?

I'm gonna take the tensioner out and hopefully the intake cam will go back in its place, how will I know if it is in its correct place? Also, is there a trick to making sure the timing is right? I don't think I have miscolored links so I figured I'd hand crank it to tdc (2nd notch) and make sure the 1st lobes are pointing away from each other, does that sound right?

[blkvrtswp]

With no tension on the timing chain the intake cam should drop right in to it's channel. Make sure it is clean and follow FSM cam reinstall steps including any lubrication. Replace the cam caps - they have to go back on in the EXACT same place and order they were from the factory.

If you did not keep track of where the cam caps were, stop and take this to a mechanic or machine shop for reassembly.

The tensioner has a hook for when you replace it - you WILL need the FSM Factory Service Manual because you must follow the steps exactly. Cams are 100% unforgiving - get it wrong and you will bend all the valves and / or crack the cam in half.

If you rotate the engine using the crank and a short wrench SLOWLY, if the valves hit the engine will stop turning.

Download the FSM right here from NICO - check the sticky links at the top of each forum. Make sure you follow the timing setting steps exactly - skipping any because you can't see or don't understand what is needed will lead to a car that will not start.

[240sxracer15]

Thanks for your help. I got the cam back in its spot and cam caps back on last night. Dropped the tensioner so ordered a new one. Will install it and let you know. Know if I have the cam in its spot and the chain never skipped teeth I don't need to worry about the timing right?

[blkvrtswp]

If the chain did not skip on either cam or the crank sprocket, then your cam timing should be fine. If you rotate by hand and find no valve obstruction that is a good sign.

TDC = cam lobes pointing apart towards 10 and 2 o'clock - right.

The colored chain link is useful when installing the chain but will only line up once in like 12 (?) rotations after the engine has run - it can be confusing, so I ignore it. Google or search NICO for the number of chain links between cam gear marks and count to verify. I've seen some very clear diagrams.

Then reinstall the CAS, and set the timing advance.

Good luck!