Removing Upper Timing Chain Cover

[deathkeeper]

I have a little timing chain click, and was going to take a look at the tensioners. Maybe I can un-gum them. When removing the distributer, what is the best method for making sure that I don't get my ignition timing off?

[IveBeenBad]

download an fsm

http://www.zeroyon.com/TheSite/techservice.html

[deathkeeper]

I have a real fsm sitting in the garage, I was just asking for some tips to make sure I don't throw my timing off.

[180fan]

if you don't want to mess your timing, just don't undo the tensioner and then start moving off your cams and such. If everything's still connected, and you're just popping the cover, only thing you'll need to worry about is getting the distributor in lined up properly.

[frapjap]

Yuppers.

[BadMojo]

I just recently removed my cam cover to replace the upper tensioner and remove the upper guide that's on the driver's side.

Basically, we set the engine at TDC on the compression stroke for Cyl #1 and then proceeded to mark *everything* before we pulled it off the car.

I removed the tensioner and didn't have any issue with the chain jumping a tooth, but we marked both chain and cam sprocket anyway.

Note: It *is* easy to be off one tooth with the distributor when you put it back in.

BTW, my upper tensioner was shot to hell. It was so bad that it was giving me an oil light for a second on start-up (it was leaking like a sieve). Removing the second upper guide and replacing the tensioner made the KA quiet (for a KA) and got rid of my oil light problem too.