Topic: I have a question about timeing chain guides?

[RandallYota86]

So first and foremost i am not new to the Toyota world. Ive had 3 yotas. My current one in a 85 sr5 4x4. Ive built it from the ground up.

My problem is I just got done doing a head gasket on it and my cam sprocket wont go on the cam. the cam is centered and everything is torqued down to spec.  Ive moved the chain back and forth but i cant get enough slack. I read up on it and people say that all i need to do is compress the chain tensioner. OK sounds easy enough. but when i was in there i accidentally chipped off the outside part of the chain guide.

here is the picture of it. the back isn't broken it is still securely in place just only the little tab on the outside.






I was looking into the new guides and i noticed that this side does not have a tab on it. what are your thoughts? can i roll with this one? Im attempting to save the 80 bucks.

[zippo]

So I have done this several times. Pull up on the cam gear as you rotate the crank back and forth. I mean pull like hell. Then you should be able to start it on the cam them the bolt will pull it on. Or you can get a really long screw driver and try to push in the tensioner in. I have never needed to, I just pull it till it goes on.

[jssgbsn]

Did you recover the broken pieces?

If the chain is tight and doesn't have a lot of slack I wouldnt worry...yet.  But I would plan to swap for metal guides next time.

[RandallYota86 [OP]]

So like really heave on it huh while turning it back and forth that should work..... i was doing it but not really pulling crazy hard .....ill try that thank you sir.




And yes i did recover the piece! I figured ill get the metal ones once these fail. I figured that it was good with the tight chain. thank you for the voice of reassurance!

[1985CRAWLER]

zippo is the man, exactly what i do everytime. use some force, you wont break the chain. just make sure the timing marks are lined up and go for it!

[jimbo74]

i usually use a large flathead screwdriver or a prybar though the gear and on the head through the holes in the gear to get that extra leverage

[theslayer85]

I have used a flat screwdriver and pry up on the gear and place it on the cam.  Be careful with the chain getting too loose with the guides.  I let mine go a little too long and the chain wore a groove in the timing chain cover right were a coolant passage was.  It dumped anti-freeze down into the oil pan it washed all the lubrication off the main bearings and seized two rods.