Timing Chain Installation

2780 Views 11 Replies 5 Participants Last post by palladin, May 11, 2011

ajochum1

Discussion Starter · May 6, 2011

I did something really stupid about 5 years ago. My '82 2+2 ZX was smoking, so I removed the cam to check for wear. I attempted to reinstall the timing chain and I just couldn't get it to come up high enough to reconnect. I removed the top gear and tried to work it into the shaft, but no luck.
As I look into the engine and see the guides I notice a "pin" on the guide sticking out about 3/4 of an inch. Could someone explain how to push that back in?
I have used the trick of using a piece of wood to keep it from falling off the lower gear, but worry that it may have come off.
Is all of this a common problem? Is there any "simple" way to reinstall the chain. I worry that I may have to pull the oil pan, which sounds like a real pain.
If there is a step by step section with pictures, I'd appreciate it and any help that could be offered.

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6shutr

· #2 · May 6, 2011

The "pin" you see may be the oil sprayer. It doesn't push back in. You might as well bite the bullet and pull the pan, crank pulley, fan and timing cover off. I don't know of any other way to do it. If it's a high-mileage car you might consider putting a new timing kit on it (sprockets, chain, tensioner, etc.) at that point.

Are you saying you did this 5 years ago and the car hasn't run since?

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Skyhook4

· #3 · May 6, 2011

The pin you speak of is the chain tensioner. It has a spring which has become your nemesis but also uses oil pressure to operate. There is a chain stopper that will hold the chain in place while doing top end work. I have on occasion pushed the tensioner back in place with a long and substantial screwdriver but other times had to pull the timing cover. People used to come to me before I decided to limit my activities to MY cars. Think of this as a learning experience.

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ajochum1

Discussion Starter · #4 · May 6, 2011

Thanks to both of you and any more comments that may follow. Yes, I did this about 5 years ago and the car is in dry storage at this time. So -- if I get lucky, I can pull the radiator and the chain cover and go in that way. If not, I need to lift the engine a bit and drop the pan.

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palladin

· #5 · May 6, 2011 (Edited)

Why do you have to remove the pan again????

You have to remove the timing cover which entails removing the harmonic balancer. On the plus side you can replace the front seal. The chain tensioner is the culprit as outlined above. I had a bitch of a time with mine. My bro-in-law could wrangle it back in with an 18" screwdriver...I never could. Here is a couple pictures.

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nrkrel

· #6 · May 7, 2011

Re: Timing Chain Installation "Chop Sticks" method...

I fixed this SAME problem for a guy in Pasadena, who did the same thing as you did. He (not I) found this method that requires a helper for about an hour. First you remove the oil pump, the valve cover. The guy above shines a Mag lite down into the timing chain case cover at the tensioner area. The guy below uses a slender screwdriver to also help the other guy with his screwdriver pop the tensioner back into the hole. This took about 90 minutes on a hot day! I never would have thought of anything this wild BUT it sure did work! Myself, I like to change the gears and chain together, like on a motorcycle. Still, this was a real time-saver. Norm K.

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ajochum1

Discussion Starter · #7 · May 10, 2011

With the tensioner loose, are you able to just slip the chain over the top gear, or is it better to remove the top gear, put the chain on and then slip the gear into position? Sounds like this requires removal of the hood and radiator for easy access - correct?

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palladin

· #8 · May 10, 2011

With the tensioner loose, are you able to just slip the chain over the top gear,

yes

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ajochum1

Discussion Starter · #9 · May 10, 2011

Thanks!

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nrkrel

· #10 · May 10, 2011

Using stock tensioner you have to remove the cam sprocket, stick it under the chain and put the spocket BACK on the cam, NO "it's not like a fan-belt!" Norm K.

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ajochum1

Discussion Starter · #11 · May 11, 2011

nrkrel said:
Using stock tensioner you have to remove the cam sprocket, stick it under the chain and put the spocket BACK on the cam, NO "it's not like a fan-belt!" Norm K.

I was soooo close to getting it on when I last attempted it by taking off the sprocket. I just couldn't get it to come up quite high enough to go back on. Hopefully, by doing what has already been suggested, I'll get that extra little bit to get it on.

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palladin

· #12 · May 11, 2011

I don't know what the **** I was thinking. I must have misread the question...yes you slip it over the cam sprocket with the sprocket off the cam. I had scribed my chain AND tooth to make sure it got back in the same place. Then gently tighten that bolt to seat it. Sorry for the confusion.

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