timing chain tensioner

[Jasonisa]

Hey guys my tensioner on my 280zx has ended up looking much like this one

http://www.zdriver.com/forum/280zx-s130-forums-77/finally-new-gasket-time-30877/page3/

and it has bent the spring c silly question can i use my one again or do i have to buy a new one and if i have to buy a new one where can i get it and how much is it or can i just replace the spring...... ive tried looking on ebay btw and the only thing i can find is the entire timing set eg (new chain, sprocket, tensioner and guides)

 

Cheers

[MaygZ]

Try your local Nissan dealer - I'm often surprised at the things they carry in stock - as there is a good chance the tensioner is common across many different OHC engines.

[jamo240]

Don't reuse the mangled one. If you get stuck I have a few old tensioners with springs under the bench so I could send you one.

 

Jamo

[dat2kman]

What has caused that, in the pic on the link, is age and wear.

Chain stretch ( massive!)

The straight and curved guides will have nice deep twin grooves.

The top and bottom sprockets will have "hook" shaped teeth.

The plunger itself will have deep grooves too.

 

Replace the plunger and its block, both straight and curved guides, the two sprockets, and the chain

All are available from Nissan dealers.

 

If you are shaving the head, ( a few thou, say 6-10 for a skim/trueing cut, that doesnt matter) but if taking a decent cut, ie 30-40 thou or more,

Use a small file and file out the bottom mount hole on curved guide, so that bottom of curved guide moves inwards a bit, 2 mm is enough.

The mount block on the plunger unit, file the two mount holes also by 2 mm, to move the block inwards, then to stop it moving back outwards, get hold of a roll pin the thing that has a slit down its length, use a fine slitting disc on a grinder to then make two halves.

Shorten to suit height of block, slip into the elongated holes, to then hold the block in the new inwards position.

Cheap easy, amd a very common practice with engine builders very familiar with L series!

 

Or, buy a Kameari chain tensioner assy! Approx $700

[Jasonisa]

OK well that picture is not actually my engine its just one I found on the web, but my tensioner spring when I pulled the front cover off was bent out and up, the guides are fine I think it is just because one of the few people helping me turned the motor counter4 clockwise a bit before I had put the chain back on the cam.

Either way I have ordered a new tensioner from Precision Intl as not even my Nissan dealer could get one without it costing $100 or more

[dat2kman]

Of that happened after assy, your bloke failed to use special part no blah blah, which is a block f wedge wood, with a bit of wire through it, to pull it out.

Usually fitted once tdc of no 1 established, and prior to front cover going on.

Fit head with cam sprocket and chain onto cam, then prise out wood.

That spring will force put plunger as soon as tension on chain is relieved.

$100 plus or minus $20 is about right, used to be lots cheaper,,,, moons ago, when plentifull!