ka24e timing chain marks

[sschris]

I'm reassembling my '89 ka24e and I need to know how to align the timing marks on the cam and crank sprockets. Does anyone have a picture or diagram. The chain set didn't come with directions. any help will be appreciated. THANKS!!

[JNM240]

This is entirely from memory, but i believe it to be correct:

With the key way on your crank pulley facing up, there should be a dot on it at about the 4 o'clock position. Also, on the cam sprocket, keyway facing up, there is a dot at the 3 o'clock position. Each of these dots gets a silver link from the chain. Worry about the tension on the guide side, there is going be slack in the tensioner side until you pull the pin out of the tensioner.

Remember, this will also be TDC for the compression stroke, both key ways pointing up. So now you will align the oil pump mark with the mark on its shaft and install it in the front cover. Then align the rotor with the tiny notch on the lip of the distributor (#1) and carefully install it in the motor (DO NOT USE A MALLET OR HAMMER!!!). Voila. You will need to adjust base timing once the car is started. But before you start it, turn it over by hand a couple of times, just to make SURE nothing is hitting (valves & pistons). Should be good to go.

[240sx88]

if u no longer have a guide can ur chain jump teeth?

[figment521]

yes it can.

[JNM240]

You probably have remnants of the guide left, like the mounting bolts, so i seriously doubt you will jump a tooth on the chain, especially considering there is still tension on it. If the tensioner is gone, then yes, you could definately jump teeth. You definately want to replace that guide as soon as you are able, since the chain will most likely rub a hole through the front cover into the cooling passage behind it, then water and oil will mix and you will have a huge mess on your hands.

[nc240]

if i've set the timing on my 89 coupe with the sohc and it still won't start what have i done wrong? please help somebody

[JNM240]

Check to make sure you are actually getting spark for starters. If yes, and you are getting fuel, then reset the motor to TDC on compression stroke, pull the valve cover and the crank pulley and make sure the keyway on the cam is pointing at 3 o'clock, and the crank straight up, and the rotor is facing the notch on the lip of the distributor indicating #1 cylinder. My bet is, if you just put it back together, the distributor is a tooth or more off, maybe even 180 degrees off (firing on BDC). Remember that you can correct this by removing both the distributor and the oil pump, aligning their respective marks, and reinstalling. As long as the motor is still at TDC on the compression stroke, everything will be fine.

[240sx88]

ok i think my guide has been missing for like two years now and nothing has gone rong as far as water and oil mixing, should i still mess with it, i really don't want to pull the motor to fix it. and that is the only way i would know how

[lbrowne]

Check to make sure you are actually getting spark for starters. If yes, and you are getting fuel, then reset the motor to TDC on compression stroke, pull the valve cover and the crank pulley and make sure the keyway on the cam is pointing at 3 o'clock, and the crank straight up, and the rotor is facing the notch on the lip of the distributor indicating #1 cylinder. My bet is, if you just put it back together, the distributor is a tooth or more off, maybe even 180 degrees off (firing on BDC). Remember that you can correct this by removing both the distributor and the oil pump, aligning their respective marks, and reinstalling. As long as the motor is still at TDC on the compression stroke, everything will be fine.

Please listen to this guy. He helped me to the Nth degree back when I did my timing chain on my old 89. The most in depth automotive repair I had done at the time!

JNM240 - glad to see you're still around these parts

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