SOHC Timing chain failed due to rubbing the block/head, Why??? (searched) no 56k

[Aaron D]

I bought this car for $750 due to a mysterious timing chain noise though it had just been replaced along with new gears, guides, head/valves etc.

Engine started and ran perfectly, but once the engine warmed up, a very nasty loud ticking noise would develop. I tried to limp it home thinking I knew what was wrong with it, but part way home it died.

Here is the result:

Opening the lid:













Head rub mark, fortunately only 1 bent valve!



Rub mark just to the driver side/right on the block:

I tried searching the forum, but I got 0 results searching for "Timing Chain Rub" or "Grind"

If anyone has any ideas on how this could have happend I'd love to hear it. Looks like the snout on the cam is too short or something??? I haven't heard if the original cam was re-used on this rebuilt head or if maybe it cam from a FWD SOHC engine.

I dunno, Discuss....

[Razi]

Sounds like maybe it was the common chain guide problem.Did you hear a marble-in-a-tin-can type of noise?This is a common topic, you probably would've found it if you searched for "timing chain guide" or something along those terms.

[240ka24]

in the last picture, there should be a piston that fits over the spring and both fit inside the spring tensioner. see if you can find it in the engine. If you cant find it then that may be the problem. if the piston was not installed that would deffinitely cause something like that.

[Aaron D]

in the last picture, there should be a piston that fits over the spring and both fit inside the spring tensioner. see if you can find it in the engine. If you cant find it then that may be the problem. if the piston was not installed that would deffinitely cause something like that.

Good thought. I can't remember if the piston was still on when I opened it or not, but I know I dislodged the tension guide at one point so I may have knocked it off myself. I'll try to get the rest torn apart this weekend and let everyone know what all is down in there...

[Fla240sx]

nice clean head........

maybe a cheap ebay china knock off kit where the chain just blew apart??

[Aaron D]

nice clean head........

maybe a cheap ebay china knock off kit where the chain just blew apart??

It may well be, but even so it shouldn't have caused a rub like that.

I just got an email back from they guy I purchaced it from and he said a buddy of his sold it to him saying that it cam from either a pickup or Stanza...

FWD heads will not work on the RWD engine for just this reason. So I guess that solves the mystery

[Vegascorbin]

That looks just like mine did without the broken chain. I found it before the chain broke.

There should be plastic guides on the right side (as shoenin your photos) that keep the chain from rubbing the block and timing cover.

When you go to auto zone and get the timing chain kit (chain, guides, 2 gears and a new tensioner = $110 ) you will understand what is missing from your engine. Plan on droping the oil pan to retreive the broken parts. Pan to do but worth it.

I had never done a chain before but was able to do it in less than 3 days working very slowly and only a few hours a night. I can probably do the next one in about 3-4 hours.

Hardest part for me was droping and re-installing the oil pan.

Look in the Tech Pages for a How to for the timing chain. That was our only guide and engine fired right away.

One note. Pay attention to how you put the oil pump back in. Took us two tries to get that right.