The great timing chain debacle of 2009

[2ndnissan]

well..it's not that yet at least! I narrowed down my no start problem to timing. The old KA (sohc) has 190,000 on it and just suddenly conked and won't start again. I eliminated spark and fuel problems so I'm left with timing. I'm following the guide on here and crossing my fingers. So far it's been pretty easy but I haven't tackled the crank pulley yet. I have changed a chain once on a 68 buick skylark but it's a different beast so I'm a little anxious about getting it back to tdc at the end and functioning. At least this won't have nylon crank gears like the skylark had so this should be the last time i ever have to dig into this. I'm replacing the oil pump as a precaution. The water pump is just a few months old so that stays but it needs a new belt and new radiator before I bolt it all back together . I'm also hoping to find altima or maxima fans for it this weekend and replacement one piece shroud (this one is chewed up on the flat part on the top). Wish me luck..I'll post a few pics along the way and maybe ask a few questions if it doesn't start right up afterwards. I already miss driving it!

update:I bought the timing set and gaskets from Advanced for $123. I also had to get the 24 and 27mm sockets . I've only been working on it for actuallly an hour or so for three days. Two days were too cold to even bother going out so I just covered everything. Here's a pic of the engine bay before work started: i didn't find any slivers or chunks of guide but the one the tensioner pushed on was grooved pretty well .early into it..after removing radiator,water pump ,fans and power steering pump. Note: Who needs bungee cords when you've got duct tape!



After distributor,valve cover and crank pulley. Taking off the crank pulley was an adventure. Not that it was that hard to take off, but I forgot to thread the bolt back out when using the puller and the puller slipped when it hit the back of the bolt. That resulted in this:

yep...valve cover still on at that point and the fins made nice tatoos in my eyebrow as my head solidly met it. That was the end of that work day. I didn't go to the er or anything but my neck was SORE!!!

How I'm keeping track of the nuts and bolts:



That was my little surprise. Someone before me had broke off a helicoil in the water pump hole. Should I get another cover (used) or try to get this out?? The problem is drilling will wreck the threads or risk busting trough into the timing chain area. Cover material is kinda thin behind that hole.Plus a helicoil kit will be $25 anyways. I could probably get a cover shipped for that.

After putting on the new cam and crank gears I checked the FSM again and i THINK I got the link relationships right with the chain. If I'm wrong tell me please! I don't want to tear this thing apart ever again!!



The lower end. Single" 0" mark on the gear was dabbed with silver nail polish and I lined that up with the other silver link. After putting on the tensioner there is a tiny bit of movement on the chain back and forth from direction..not side to side but like front front of car to back ..just a tiny bit but it still makes me uneasy. How do I get that out if there is supposed to be none??

I did not pull the oil pan off completely..yet. Trying to do it without dropping the pickup or pan. I lost one bolt so it's probably off to the junkyard tomorrow to pull a half dozen or so of those . I always like spares! I'm probably going to button it all up next Wednesday when I can get the oil pump and another radiator and electric fans. Till then good ole duct tape and shop rags will keep moisture and critters out. I have already poured some oil over the chain and gear to protect them. That will give me time to source another timing cover too. That broken helicoil worries me. I don't want any possible oil or water leaks when it's all done.

Modified by 2ndnissan at 12:08 PM 3/4/2009
Modified by 2ndnissan at 12:17 PM 3/4/2009

[E7-S14]

the word "debacle" is soo 2008

[2ndnissan]

i was watching a report on the stimulus package when I typed it. First word that came to mind...

[2ndnissan]

bump for update..

[2ndnissan]

Quick question: I checked the timing chain article here again but didn't see the torque settings for the cam bolt or crank bolt. Anyone know those?