TIMING CHAIN QUESTION

[BOZO]

I am replacing the timing chain on the L18 in my 74 Datsun truck because the plunger on the chain tensioner was sticking out .440 from the body. It is not the original motor, but was replaced with another new (supposedly 1974) L18 years ago. My dillema is there was 42 pins between the timing marks on this engine when I tore it down. My repair manual says 70 thru 73 L16 and L18 engines have 42 pins between the mating marks, and 74 thru 80 L18 and L20 engines have 44. I took my head down to Bill at my local NAPA machine shop (whom I trust) to be rebuilt, and asked him about this. He looked it up and said there was only one chain listed for the L18 and I should put it back together with 42 pins between mating marks because the deck hieght is the same as the L16 (L20 deck hieght is taller). Is my Chilton manual wrong? Or was my engine assembled wrong before? It always ran good with lots of bottom end torque. My camshaft sprocket location notch lined up perfectly with the oblong groove on the camshaft retaining plate, so I don't think things are very far off. I hope I haven't written this up too complicated to understand.

[Laecaon]

Your friend is right. Chilton is wrong.

 

Also, I dont count links anymore. I set the head and block to TDC and slap the chain on.

 

42 is the magical number for L16 and L18 motors.

[Eagle_Adam]

your buddy is correct

 

EDIT - damn ur fast laecaon :D

[Laecaon]

EDIT - damn ur fast laecaon :D

 

Its my day off. :sleep:

[Eagle_Adam]

Its my day off. :sleep:

 

:ninja: skillz

[Sealik]

[BOZO]

I thank ya'll for this info. Peace of mind is a good thing. I guess Chilton needs to go back to school. Makes me wonder what else is wrong in my manual.

[banzai510(hainz)]

If you have the chain with the brite links its EZ

 

You you could put the chain on as tight as you can. then lossely put the fromt cover back on rotate Counter clock wise and dial the crank to Zero then ck the V notch on the Cam plate looking thru the sprocket to see if lined up.