Project Bush:720 Z24 4X4=Head Gasket Replacement

[Nissy]

Was unable to align/bolt up cam gear to cam by 1cm after a head gasket replacement!

Somewhere I screwed it up, when I was putting head back on I think... Damn piece of wood!

Now I shall remove engine front casing to push the &%$@*&! tensioner/plunger back in.

Anyone put in one of the tensioners/plungers that STAY in?

 

[datzenmike]

The tensioner is held in by the timing chain. Once the cam sprocket is removed the chain goes slack and the tensioner pops out. It has to be blocked from pushing out with a wedge.

 

[Nissy]

Thanks datzenmike.

2nd time I do this head gasket...

My wooden wedge must have moved.

Have you heard of the tensioner which does not pop out?

 

[Crashtd420]

https://datnissparts.com/nismo-l4-naps-z-chain-tensioner-l16-l18-l20b-z20-z22-z24-13070-n7120/

 

[datzenmike]

$120???? Unless you plan to take the head off again no need. While off make a perfectly shaped one that blocks it coming out rather than the troublesome wedge that can slip.

[NC85ST]

A trick I used, which I learned on here, was a piece of an old garden hose, doubled up and pushed down to hold the plunger in place. Of course that doesn’t help you now. 

[Nissy]

Thanks for tensioner info, looks good, but too much.

Great trick NC85ST, I should have asked earlier.

Yes, now that I have it apart, I will make the perfect tool and screw it to the hood.

Easy to remove engine front cover, checking timing will be fun.

 

What best FREE place to store photos??

 

Thanks!

[datzenmike]

imgur

[Nissy]

 

Thanks, this was today, gaskets ordered. Anyone know where I could get a new/used stock water pump fan??

 

[datzenmike]

Just the fan?? Post a picture of it.

[Nissy]

 

I cut fins down to balance my broken fan but not cooling. Or any fan that fits.. thanks

 

[datzenmike]

 Inside diameter plastic, just under 124mm.

Blade diameter about 380mm?

 

Sound right?

[Nissy]

yes, thats right,

 

 

[datzenmike]

 You're showing 147mm. I have the smaller one just under 124mm.

 

 

At one time I had both for this picture. Tomorrow I'll look for the larger one.

[Nissy]

That would be great. Thanks

[datzenmike]

 

OK it's even larger at about 160mm across the inside BUT the 4 holes that attach it to the clutch fan I believe are the same as yours. I get a touch over 134mm between either two across from each other. It's also 8 blade to your 7 and the same 380mm across (15") 

[Nissy]

my water pump measures 134 mm from hole to next closest hole.

Your fan will fit.

[datzenmike]

Yes, from one hole to the one directly across from it. 134.112mm lol

 

Measure the opening in the shroud. Should be able to fit a 380mm or 15" fan in there. This one is either off a Z24 or from a Z20 in an '80-'81 S110 200sx.

[Nissy]

I dont use a shroud. What do you want for fan?

[datzenmike]

That's ok but the cooling at low speeds is more efficient with the shroud when the temperatures are high outside.

 

I'll PM you and you send me back your mailing address.

[Nissy]

Yup, having fun with the timing allright...

lined up gear dots, installed chain, all ok, BUT, am I 180 out?

How to make 100% sure ??

[datzenmike]

The crank shaft should be at TDC and the crank shaft sprocket dot at about 4 o'clock on the driver's side. The cam sprocket dot should be around 2 o'clock with 40 chain links between them. There is no way to install it 180 degrees out.

 

Now if you mean ignition timing being 180 out, well that depends in what position you install the oil pump/distributor drive spindle. If engine is at TDC look in the distributor hole and this is what you should see...

 

 

The top of the drive spindle has a tang and looks sort of like a screw driver blade. It's off set slightly to one side so there is a small and large half moon. The small half mood should be towards the front of the engine and the tang oriented like a clock at 11:25. If the large side was to the front then it would be 180 out. The slot in the bottom of the distributor assures that it can only go back in in this one position and timing is never lost if removed.

[Nissy]

Thanks!

Now I understand.

does not matter which tdc your at because the cam is not chained in yet.

 

Both front cylinder valves shut indicate TDC ?  Head is bolted on now.

 

OK, I will check again and finish up.

 

tdc does not matter because no cam inside engine!

HardWired to v-8's I guess ... lol

 

 

[Nissy]

Is this Super-Important to get the tang sitting like the previous photo?

should the oil pump + dist be installed at same time to ensure you get the 12:00 setting for dist ?

my tang is 12:15, I compensated by moving cap leads but could not find smooth running spot

 

 

[datzenmike]

 Yes very important.

 

Engine must be at TDC compression stroke on #1

 

The oil pump and the distributor are both turned by a spindle driven off a worm gear on the crankshaft. To adjust the spindle from the 12:15 to the correct 11:25 unbolt the oil pump and remove it. (have rags handy it will drip oil) The spindle will likely drop right out with it or just grab it a wiggle it loose. The oil pump has a mark on it and so does the spindle.

 

 

Put the pump back in and snug one of the bolts to hold it in place. Take a look through the distributor hole and it should now be 11:25 but if not, drop the pump again and turn the spindle slightly and try again.

 

 

 

If at 12:15 then whoever replaced the head gasket must have removed the oil pump and the spindle and put it back in wrong. Only reason for removing the oil pump is if the timing chain tensioner fell out from not knowing what they were doing.