SR20DET head install/timing trouble.

[mdgeist]

All right 1st thing 1st, I'm not a professional mechanic and this is my first project for quite awhile. I'm a full time student and I work on my S14 when I'm not busy.
I had to remove the head to replace the studs for the exhaust manifold, since I already swapped it into the car. The removal was all done according to FSM and some online searching. The timing chain only had 1 silver link after manually cranking it a multiple times to TDC.
After the studs were replaced, I reinstalled the head w/ a new head gasket and one of the head bolts snapped while torquing; so I had to ez out the broken stud (made sure no metal shavings fell through) and purchase new head bolts and gasket.
Reinstalled everything again according to FSM, and it looked good to go. So I manually cranked a few times, then tried cranking it from the ignition. But there came a weird sound (the valve springs were pushing up on the rocker arm and intake camshaft) from the engine while cranking.
Retook everything apart to find out the exhaust camshaft snapped. Probably cause I was in a rush to get it running and snapped it somewhere in the process.
Purchased and replaced the camshafts now, but the timing chain, cam gears looks out of sequence.

Bouts to give up and take it into a shop. But I'm here looking for some advice and help before doing so.
Please do not bash me. Cause I'm up to a point where I'm already frustrated with myself.

[Lobo240sx]

Several things could have happened. I know it is frustrating but don't give up. Take a look at this hopefully it will help you. If you don't line the dots up with the chain to intake 10 o'clock, exhaust 12 o'clock it will cause damage or engine won't get proper compression. One of your rocker arms could have slipped off the valve shims while you were putting it back together.

http://www.frsport.com/How-To-Set-Crank ... _t_25.html

http://www.jimwolftechnology.com/wolfpd ... ORSR20.PDF

Take out your Cylinder #1 spark plug. Put a loooong screwdriver in as pictured to check TDC.

[PyR0NiAk]

how-to-set-your-srs-timing-in-30-minute ... 98297.html

[mdgeist]

Ok, here are some pictures on where I' am at with the timing.
The timing chain tensioner is not installed yet.The silver link is on the intake side correctly lined up with the dot. Plus the long screw driver is touching piston #1 at TDC.
But my problem is that the exhaust camshaft is not at the 12 o'clock position and the chain link count from intake to exhaust marks are only 9 links.


Pulley on second notch showing that piston #1 is at TDC.

[mdgeist]

Also, do you guys think that I could of bent the valves from my first attempt?

[PyR0NiAk]

Bent valves are always a possibility when your cam timing is off, but it's not as likely as you might think. As far as your silver link goes, that's probably the one that's suppose to be at the bottom... TBH, if you use the guide I linked, you won't need to even look at the colored links. (Mine didn't have the 2 colored links for the cams)

[Lobo240sx]

Ok, here are some pictures on where I' am at with the timing.
The timing chain tensioner is not installed yet.The silver link is on the intake side correctly lined up with the dot. Plus the long screw driver is touching piston #1 at TDC.
But my problem is that the exhaust camshaft is not at the 12 o'clock position and the chain link count from intake to exhaust marks are only 9 links.


Pulley on second notch showing that piston #1 is at TDC.

You only have 10 links not 11. Rotate the exhaust cam clockwise and jump the chain another link to have the 11 links including the 10 and 12 dots.

See the little gash valley thing in front of the cam sprocket?? That should be 12 o'clock. Look at my previous picture and you'll see. I always remember 10,11,12 . Numerology just works out that way.

[mdgeist]

I got the 11 chain link count, but the exhaust cam was not on the 12 o'clock position.




Then I went back to correct where I went wrong.
I repositioned the exhaust cam to the 12 o'clock position and I still had a 10 count chain link.
So I repositioned the intake cam side to 10 o'clock again.
I did this all accordingly to your guys links, pictures and advice to similarly look alike what was posted on this topic.


Are the camshafts suppose to be pushing down on the rocker arms?

[Lobo240sx]

Both of the front cam lobes(near the sprockets) should be facing outward toward the exhaust and intake manifold.

[PyR0NiAk]

This-^

And yes, some of your valves will be open.

[mdgeist]

Yep. The front cam lobes are facing outwards.
I'll double check to see all bolts are torqued and hand tightened down.
So I guess it is safe to say that I could actually get this project cranking (manually) after I poor the fluids in?

[Lobo240sx]

Yes manually turn the crank with a ratchet and check to be sure your rocker arms,shims, and lifters placed properly. As you are turning the crank it will get harder to turn at a certain point. This would be your compression stroke which is normal. I believe it is right at TDC. If everything is turning smoothly unplug your Crank angle Sensor, fuel and turn the car over SLOWLY like little burst turns. Listen for metal on metal noise. If the car just cranks then you are ok there. This also helps to prime your head with oil. Pour a little bit of oil on the rocker arms and cams.

Make sure before you do this to remove the darn ratchet from the crank. I had a friend that ended up digging a 3 inch hole in the ground with a destroyed 1/2 drive ratchet lol.

[PyR0NiAk]

Make sure before you do this to remove the darn ratchet from the crank. I had a friend that ended up digging a 3 inch hole in the ground with a destroyed 1/2 drive ratchet lol.

[mdgeist]

Ok... I manually cranked it several times and put it back on TDC. Then I turned the car over slowly in short bursts (w/o the CAS plugged in) several times.
After that, I plugged the CAS in and the car started for the first time in awhile. This is how it sound when I got it started.

Click on pic for clip.

[Lobo240sx]

Sounds healthy. Go have some fun with it!

[mdgeist]

The car sounds good, but it bogs or sputters at low rpms. I'll have to bear with it for now.
Going have to take it in to get it tuned and wired with electronics.

Thanks Lobo240sx & PyR0NiAk for you help.
You guys got me through this hurdle.

[PyR0NiAk]

Glad it worked out. Now take care of her...