83 4cyl, Advice pulling head, timing chain?

[83kingcab4x4]

Hi Guys

Well it looks like it definitely is at least a head gasket as I was able to start it and it's puking coolant out the tail pipe.

I am in the process of pulling the head, I removed the intake and exhause manifolds and valve cover.

Anything special I need to know before I start pulling the front off the engine to remove the timing chain?

I did get a Chiltons and they state to make a wooden wedge to help keep the chain tendioner in place but they do not go into much detail and the dimensions are kind of hard to see.
Any advice or details on the wedge and how it fits exactly and all that would be very much appreciated.

Thanks in advance for any help or advice about this.

Bill

[Hammered Scout]

If it's an 83 then you're probably talking about a Nap Z, similar to the earlier L18 L20. Before you pull the cam sprocket off look down the front cover and notice how the chain comes closer together as drops down futher towards the bottom. There's a tensioner pushing the chain tight. You need to make a wooden wedge to push that tensioner tight against itself so the chain doesn't slack and come off the crank sprocket. Otherwise you will need to pull the front cover off to put the chain back on the correct timing marks on crank and cam

[cheesemaker]

I've seen and have done a different method, of using wire! Break the chain apart and wire each end to a bracket or something, thus keeping tension on the chain. That way the chain is out of the way and piece of wood isn't sticking up in the way! Also, get the block and the head checked before you just put a new gasket in! How DO I know this! My mechanic (I don't go to him anymore) just put in a new gasket and a new head (old one had corroded due to electrolisys) and 3,000 miles later blew another head gasket! Went back to him and he did the gasket again and then he found out my block was bad. And proceeded to just fix it again and didn't tell me the block was bad until 5,000 miles later after I blew another head gasket that the block was way out of specs.!! :mad3: :mad3: :mad3: :mad3: In the end I had to get a new take out motor put in and I have a new reman head for a 2.4 that won't fit the 2.0z motor!

[83kingcab4x4]

Thanks Hammered scout.

So to be more specific.
The block of wood goes in between the chain and the drivers side of the block to push the tensioner towards the passenger side of the truck?
To kind of wedge the tensioner and chain inboard towards the bottom sprocket?

If this is correct, does the extra chain on the passenger side of the bottom sprocket need to be addressed?

The chiltons book said to pull the water pump, is that needed using the wood block or can I wedge the chain/tensioner then remove the top sprocket and pull the head off?

Thanks for the advice and info.
I have a habbit of running off and jumping in...Tryin to avoid that this time...

Thanks again,
Bill

[83kingcab4x4]

Thanks Cheesemaker

How would a guy Break the chain apart?
Do the metal pins that run across the chain come out?
Any other details?

Thanks for the advice.
Bill

[cheesemaker]

Let me revise that, I took the sprocket off with the chain on it and removed the sproket, and then wired the chain to the side. Sorry the last chain I dealt with was on a motorcycle!

[willysrul]

Just did this not to long ago when my all plastic guide/tensioner grenaded and caused my timing chain to eat a hole in the water passage in the front cover. The wedge I used was 3/4" thick plywood about 12-13" in length and was apprx 3/4"-1" at base and 2" at top. Worked pretty good. Although I had to pull the front cover so the wedge was only needed for final assembly. I replaced the cover, the tensioner, guide,chain, etc. If you have never changed the chain or guides and tensioner I would advise that if your this far in it would be a good idea.
You will spend a little more, not any more than 50.00 and have the added knowledge that your plastic junk won't go boom! The new guide is a metal base with a plastic slide. Also have your head and block surface prepped and straight edged to make sure everything is golden.

[EdG60]

Suggest you try out www.ozdat.com lots of info on nissan 4 cyl. if you could give us the engine model i could try to find a link for detailed instructions.

[1bille1]

I wouldn't go to the trouble w/o replacing timing chain , guides, reringing pistons/fresh hone, and dropping the pan to slip in new bigend bearings/crank bearings.

Byt that time ,you might just want to get a reman engine.