Sr20 timing chain and camshaft issue - Zilvia.net Forums | Nissan 240SX (Silvia) and Z (Fairlady) Car Forum

HipHopHippo · 05-19-2013, 07:32 PM

I ended up breaking a rocker arm today. I've never removed a camshaft before and I got too confused/ anxious and removed the bolts that hold the camshaft down. I realized now that I shouldve put the cams in tdc (?) where the colored links are at the 11-1 position, but I tried to do this after I had removed the camshaft bolts. I ended up popping out the camshaft and sprocket out before they were in the right position. What should I do as a next step and how to I make sure that my timing wont be off?

cotbu · 05-19-2013, 07:49 PM

Remove the chain tensioner, then set it to be installed then put it to the side. Use the new slack to create enough room to put the cam gears back on. if you can along with the tensioner, then set the engine to TDC.

If you can't? continue removing the cams then with both cams removed set the engine to TDC. (I usually move the chain manually when doing this, but you don't have to. It's a superstition of mine) After the cams are out put the gears on, then the rest is FSM procedure. Your tensioner should already be out.

Tip I usually zip tie or pipe cleaner the chain to the cam gear, whenever I do anything that involves the chain.
And when doing the head, I paint the link and gear, just for that quick reassembly aspect.

HipHopHippo · 05-19-2013, 07:56 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by cotbu

Remove the chain tensioner, then set it to be installed then put it to the side. Use the new slack to create enough room to put the cam gears back on. if you can along with the tensioner, then set the engine to TDC.

If you can't? continue removing the cams then with both cams removed set the engine to TDC. (I usually move the chain manually when doing this, but you don't have to. It's a superstition of mine) After the cams are out put the gears on, then the rest is FSM procedure. Your tensioner should already be out.

Tip I usually zip tie or pipe cleaner the chain to the cam gear, whenever I do anything that involves the chain.
And when doing the head, I paint the link and gear, just for that quick reassembly aspect.

Ok if I take the second option and remove both gears, should I still remove the tentioner?

cotbu · 05-19-2013, 08:10 PM

........yes it helps you install the chain easier, when you reinstall it, it will ratchet out when you make your test rotation

HipHopHippo · 05-19-2013, 08:14 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by cotbu

........yes it helps you install the chain easier, it will ratchet out when you make your test rotation

Ok sorry for my lack of knowledge on this subject, thanks man

cotbu · 05-19-2013, 08:17 PM

That's what this forum is for, lol!
my short answer was yes so i added the ........, then I edited it for the explanation.

if you're doing this now, just post back if you have any other ?'s or problems

HipHopHippo · 05-19-2013, 08:22 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by cotbu

That's what this forum is for, lol!
my short answer was yes so i added the ........, then I edited it for the explanation.

if you're doing this now, just post back if you have any other ?'s or problems

Yeah Im working on this right now but im going to finish up soon, im going to be working on it everyday until i get it fixed so i will def be posting back on here

HipHopHippo · 05-20-2013, 03:01 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by cotbu

Remove the chain tensioner, then set it to be installed then put it to the side. Use the new slack to create enough room to put the cam gears back on. if you can along with the tensioner, then set the engine to TDC.

If you can't? continue removing the cams then with both cams removed set the engine to TDC. (I usually move the chain manually when doing this, but you don't have to. It's a superstition of mine) After the cams are out put the gears on, then the rest is FSM procedure. Your tensioner should already be out.

Tip I usually zip tie or pipe cleaner the chain to the cam gear, whenever I do anything that involves the chain.
And when doing the head, I paint the link and gear, just for that quick reassembly aspect.

When I removed the cams I removed the gears too, can I set it to tdc without the cams or cam gears in?

cotbu · 05-20-2013, 03:05 PM

Quote:

If you can't? continue removing the cams then with both cams removed set the engine to TDC. (I usually move the chain manually when doing this, but you don't have to. It's a superstition of mine) After the cams are out put the gears on, then the rest is FSM procedure. Your tensioner should already be out.

Yes, you should also remove the spark plugs too!

HipHopHippo · 05-20-2013, 03:09 PM

You're the man

HipHopHippo · 05-20-2013, 03:12 PM

Do I turn the crankshaft by turning the big lug in the middle? It is too firm to move by hand

cotbu · 05-20-2013, 03:16 PM

Yes on the crank, That's why you remove the spark plugs, to alleviate some of the compression

HipHopHippo · 05-20-2013, 03:19 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by cotbu

Yes on the crank, That's why you remove the spark plugs, to alleviate some of the compression

nevermind I managed to move it

HipHopHippo · 05-20-2013, 03:22 PM

Ok so I got it into tdc and the manual shows a picture of two silver links? I only have one orange link

cotbu · 05-20-2013, 03:38 PM

Don't worry about lining the links up just yet, get the number 1 piston TDC and get the cams installed correctly, with the chain on. Then count the links, 11 links from dot to dot. put the tension in, make a few rotations, you can even try to see if the dots line up, but the main goal is no binding, or abruptly stopping of the crank

HipHopHippo · 05-20-2013, 03:41 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by cotbu

Don't worry about lining the links up just yet, get the number 1 piston TDC and get the cams installed correctly, with the chain on. Then count the links, 11 links from dot to dot. put the tension in, make a few rotations, you can even try to see if the dots line up, but the main goal is no binding, or abruptly stopping of the crank

Im sorry I dont know what Im talking about but what do you mean the number 1 piston? How do I get the piston to tdc?

HipHopHippo · 05-20-2013, 04:16 PM

Actually do you turn the crankshaft so that the nail is in the second space to the left?

cotbu · 05-20-2013, 04:21 PM

Looking at the front of the engine and the first piston is number 1
number 1 need to be at TDC, that's aka TDC. Place a 27mm(IIRC) socket on the crank and a screwdriver in the spark plug hole, rotate the crank clockwise until the zero degree mark on the crank comes up, and the screwdriver stops moving up. That's TDC.

Quote:

Actually do you turn the crankshaft so that the nail is in the second space to the left?

yes

HipHopHippo · 05-20-2013, 04:53 PM

Ok so now i have the cams in and they dont sit right. When the front of the cams are in with the chain on the backs are in the air

cotbu · 05-20-2013, 05:12 PM

Do you know the torquing procedure for the cams? You need to follow them. They're in the FSM. The tensioner is still out right? Leave it out until the cams and chain is installed. Also keep an eye on the rocker arms, guide and shims, make sure they stay in place and verify they are still in place when done.

cotbu · 05-20-2013, 05:16 PM

The cams are up in the air because those valves are the ones that are going to be open, so please follow the fsm tightening procedure or you could strip the threads

HipHopHippo · 05-20-2013, 05:18 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by cotbu

The cams are up in the air because those valves are the ones that are going to be open, so please follow the fsm tightening procedure or you could strip the threads

Oh I know the torquing procedure, I just figured torquing down cams that dont sit perfectly was a bad idea. And when I say cams are in the air I mean the whole rod, not just the lobe

HipHopHippo · 05-20-2013, 05:48 PM

Are you positive there are 11 links between the two dots?

cotbu · 05-20-2013, 05:59 PM

Dot to dot, pretty sure

Sent from my Overclocked Debloated SIII

HipHopHippo · 05-20-2013, 06:45 PM

is the front part of the camshaft supposed to touch the cas ?

cotbu · 05-20-2013, 06:49 PM

Is that a trick question? Post some pics of what you're talking about.

Sent from my Overclocked Debloated SIII

HipHopHippo · 05-20-2013, 06:55 PM

i have to be missing something here because my cams dont sit right in my head anymore. When I get one to sit right, the other is off

HipHopHippo · 05-20-2013, 06:59 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by cotbu

Is that a trick question? Post some pics of what you're talking about.

Sent from my Overclocked Debloated SIII

alright hang on

HipHopHippo · 05-20-2013, 07:26 PM

cotbu · 05-20-2013, 07:39 PM

Everything looks good so far.

Sent from my Overclocked Debloated SIII

05-19-2013, 07:32 PM	#1
HipHopHippo Zilvia Junkie Join Date: Nov 2012 Location: not florida Posts: 340 Trader Rating: (2) Feedback Score: 2 reviews	Sr20 timing chain and camshaft issue I ended up breaking a rocker arm today. I've never removed a camshaft before and I got too confused/ anxious and removed the bolts that hold the camshaft down. I realized now that I shouldve put the cams in tdc (?) where the colored links are at the 11-1 position, but I tried to do this after I had removed the camshaft bolts. I ended up popping out the camshaft and sprocket out before they were in the right position. What should I do as a next step and how to I make sure that my timing wont be off? __________________

05-19-2013, 07:49 PM	#2
cotbu Post Whore! Join Date: Sep 2005 Location: SWFL Age: 47 Posts: 3,318 Trader Rating: (3) Feedback Score: 3 reviews	Remove the chain tensioner, then set it to be installed then put it to the side. Use the new slack to create enough room to put the cam gears back on. if you can along with the tensioner, then set the engine to TDC. If you can't? continue removing the cams then with both cams removed set the engine to TDC. (I usually move the chain manually when doing this, but you don't have to. It's a superstition of mine) After the cams are out put the gears on, then the rest is FSM procedure. Your tensioner should already be out. Tip I usually zip tie or pipe cleaner the chain to the cam gear, whenever I do anything that involves the chain. And when doing the head, I paint the link and gear, just for that quick reassembly aspect. __________________ LoverTechnologies "Half Broken Things!"

05-19-2013, 08:10 PM	#4
cotbu Post Whore! Join Date: Sep 2005 Location: SWFL Age: 47 Posts: 3,318 Trader Rating: (3) Feedback Score: 3 reviews	........yes it helps you install the chain easier, when you reinstall it, it will ratchet out when you make your test rotation __________________ LoverTechnologies "Half Broken Things!"

05-19-2013, 08:17 PM	#6
cotbu Post Whore! Join Date: Sep 2005 Location: SWFL Age: 47 Posts: 3,318 Trader Rating: (3) Feedback Score: 3 reviews	That's what this forum is for, lol! my short answer was yes so i added the ........, then I edited it for the explanation. if you're doing this now, just post back if you have any other ?'s or problems __________________ LoverTechnologies "Half Broken Things!"

05-20-2013, 03:09 PM	#10
HipHopHippo Zilvia Junkie Join Date: Nov 2012 Location: not florida Posts: 340 Trader Rating: (2) Feedback Score: 2 reviews	You're the man __________________

05-20-2013, 03:12 PM	#11
HipHopHippo Zilvia Junkie Join Date: Nov 2012 Location: not florida Posts: 340 Trader Rating: (2) Feedback Score: 2 reviews	Do I turn the crankshaft by turning the big lug in the middle? It is too firm to move by hand __________________

05-20-2013, 03:16 PM	#12
cotbu Post Whore! Join Date: Sep 2005 Location: SWFL Age: 47 Posts: 3,318 Trader Rating: (3) Feedback Score: 3 reviews	Yes on the crank, That's why you remove the spark plugs, to alleviate some of the compression __________________ LoverTechnologies "Half Broken Things!"

05-20-2013, 03:22 PM	#14
HipHopHippo Zilvia Junkie Join Date: Nov 2012 Location: not florida Posts: 340 Trader Rating: (2) Feedback Score: 2 reviews	Ok so I got it into tdc and the manual shows a picture of two silver links? I only have one orange link __________________

05-20-2013, 03:38 PM	#15
cotbu Post Whore! Join Date: Sep 2005 Location: SWFL Age: 47 Posts: 3,318 Trader Rating: (3) Feedback Score: 3 reviews	Don't worry about lining the links up just yet, get the number 1 piston TDC and get the cams installed correctly, with the chain on. Then count the links, 11 links from dot to dot. put the tension in, make a few rotations, you can even try to see if the dots line up, but the main goal is no binding, or abruptly stopping of the crank __________________ LoverTechnologies "Half Broken Things!"

05-20-2013, 04:16 PM	#17
HipHopHippo Zilvia Junkie Join Date: Nov 2012 Location: not florida Posts: 340 Trader Rating: (2) Feedback Score: 2 reviews	Actually do you turn the crankshaft so that the nail is in the second space to the left? __________________

05-20-2013, 04:53 PM	#19
HipHopHippo Zilvia Junkie Join Date: Nov 2012 Location: not florida Posts: 340 Trader Rating: (2) Feedback Score: 2 reviews	Ok so now i have the cams in and they dont sit right. When the front of the cams are in with the chain on the backs are in the air __________________

05-20-2013, 05:12 PM	#20
cotbu Post Whore! Join Date: Sep 2005 Location: SWFL Age: 47 Posts: 3,318 Trader Rating: (3) Feedback Score: 3 reviews	Do you know the torquing procedure for the cams? You need to follow them. They're in the FSM. The tensioner is still out right? Leave it out until the cams and chain is installed. Also keep an eye on the rocker arms, guide and shims, make sure they stay in place and verify they are still in place when done. __________________ LoverTechnologies "Half Broken Things!"

05-20-2013, 05:16 PM	#21
cotbu Post Whore! Join Date: Sep 2005 Location: SWFL Age: 47 Posts: 3,318 Trader Rating: (3) Feedback Score: 3 reviews	The cams are up in the air because those valves are the ones that are going to be open, so please follow the fsm tightening procedure or you could strip the threads __________________ LoverTechnologies "Half Broken Things!"

05-20-2013, 05:48 PM	#23
HipHopHippo Zilvia Junkie Join Date: Nov 2012 Location: not florida Posts: 340 Trader Rating: (2) Feedback Score: 2 reviews	Are you positive there are 11 links between the two dots? __________________

05-20-2013, 05:59 PM	#24
cotbu Post Whore! Join Date: Sep 2005 Location: SWFL Age: 47 Posts: 3,318 Trader Rating: (3) Feedback Score: 3 reviews	Dot to dot, pretty sure Sent from my Overclocked Debloated SIII __________________ LoverTechnologies "Half Broken Things!"

05-20-2013, 06:45 PM	#25
HipHopHippo Zilvia Junkie Join Date: Nov 2012 Location: not florida Posts: 340 Trader Rating: (2) Feedback Score: 2 reviews	is the front part of the camshaft supposed to touch the cas ? __________________

05-20-2013, 06:49 PM	#26
cotbu Post Whore! Join Date: Sep 2005 Location: SWFL Age: 47 Posts: 3,318 Trader Rating: (3) Feedback Score: 3 reviews	Is that a trick question? Post some pics of what you're talking about. Sent from my Overclocked Debloated SIII __________________ LoverTechnologies "Half Broken Things!"

05-20-2013, 06:55 PM	#27
HipHopHippo Zilvia Junkie Join Date: Nov 2012 Location: not florida Posts: 340 Trader Rating: (2) Feedback Score: 2 reviews	i have to be missing something here because my cams dont sit right in my head anymore. When I get one to sit right, the other is off __________________

05-20-2013, 07:26 PM	#29
HipHopHippo Zilvia Junkie Join Date: Nov 2012 Location: not florida Posts: 340 Trader Rating: (2) Feedback Score: 2 reviews	__________________

05-20-2013, 07:39 PM	#30
cotbu Post Whore! Join Date: Sep 2005 Location: SWFL Age: 47 Posts: 3,318 Trader Rating: (3) Feedback Score: 3 reviews	Everything looks good so far. Sent from my Overclocked Debloated SIII __________________ LoverTechnologies "Half Broken Things!"

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