Topic: timing chain problem...

[Bs85]

ok i knopw many of you have had this problem before so im hoping that you can tell me the easy way to get this done.. ok i blew my head gasket and now im going back together with it and i have the timing chain cover on and the head on but now i can tget the cam sprocket (top gear) to go on to the cam, i know the chain is not too short its the tensioner pushing on the chain the tensioner is all the way out so what is the trick to get the tensioner back in to give me some slack in my chain.... thanks

[Toymin8r]

You should be able to push it in by hand.  If you can't somethings is not right.  If it were mine I would replace with a new timing chain kit anyway since you have it apart.  I would also get the metal guides instead of the factory plastic ones.

[Bs85 [OP]]

i just replaced the timing chain not to long ago and everything looked good but i cant reach the tensioner with my hand because the timing cover is allready on.

[Duffil]

you need a long screwdriver or a piece of flatbar to compress the tensioner.

[Toymin8r]

You can also try to use the largest deep dish socket that will still fit inside the cam sprocket.  Use and extension on the socket to get leverage.  If you can get it up high enough just slide it onto the gear.


I've done what you're trying to do before but its been so long I can't remember how I did it.

[79coyotefrg]

ive done both duffil and toyminators  way,  both work,  and  both together work better

[Bs85 [OP]]

sounds good ill try that in the morning and let you guys know thanks for the help

[toby]

put a 19 mm socket on the bolt on the cranl pulley and rotate the engine backwards while lifting up on the cam sprocket. this may take 2 people. rotating the engine backwards will release the tension on the tensioner. then rotate it back forward to tdc and the cam sprocket will go back on.

[Bs85 [OP]]

why would rotating it backwards release the tensioner,  im just curious, getting ready to try and put it on here in a few minutes

[Toymin8r]

That would work if you could secure the sprocket and not allow the chain to turn either.  It would almost take 2 people to do that.  The theory is that it takes more pressure to push it in than it does to keep it in once its there, which may be true.

[Bs85 [OP]]

well i was tired of fighting it so i just gave in an pulled the timing cover off,  i was wasting to muchh time on it

[Bs85 [OP]]

ok got it all back together and went to fire it and after about 6 cranks it finally started, ran like crap then died, then i realized i left the fuel cap off, so i was hoping thats why it died, put that back on it fired and then died, now it wont start, i know its getting fuel, its got spark, the only thing i can think of is timing, i dont have a timing light but i can get one from a freind, but the one thing i think could be wrong is if i got the distributor off by a tooth, would it still start like that with the distributor off a tooth?

[Duffil]

it could be off a tooth.  can you get it running and turn the distributor to try and smooth it out?

[Bs85 [OP]]

it wont stay running long enough

[Duffil]

try moving it and then starting it.  see if it makes it better or worse.
did you static time this thing?
You know, pull the valve cover, rotate to TDC, point the rotor to # 1?

[Bs85 [OP]]

ya thats what i did i put the engine on top dead center with the dot on the timing gear at 12:00 then put the distributor in with it pointing at #1 but one tooth difference on the distributor still puts it close to #1 so im thinking i could be a tooth off

[Bs85 [OP]]

ok i got it running turns out the distributor was in right but i had a ground wire off on the intake and i bolted it down and it started running... must have been an important wire, but all is good now thanks for the help guys