$1,500 head gasket/timing belt question

[Guest jjohart]

Hi, I had my 83 280ZXT's head gasket sent out and checked and reinsalled with a new gasket due to oil leaks from the front main seal and elsewheres underneath-leaks around the oil pan. It turned out time to do a timing belt change at 50K miles, and now the car sounds like a diesel at times, clickety clickedty under the hood, not muscular at all, and I also get the smell of coolant through the heat/AC when I drive over 3,000rpm.

So far, the mechanic told me that they'd replace the exhaust gasket, but I'm really not sure I was right, since I told them I thought it smelled like "exhaust" at first, but now I'm much more sure it's coolant! What could be causing this, what do I tell them, and do I have any legitimate gripe in telling them to do the head work again if the engine simply "sounds" like a clickety valve tap type of job? I have no idea what's going on here, but I know I don't like it!

John 83 280ZXT

[DatsunBoy77]

First off, there is no timing belt. It is a timing chain. That noise you hear may be a few things. First off, it may be not timed or off a tooth. Are the valves adjusted correctly, or are they hydrolic? Another thing is if they changed the chain they might have not had the tensioner adjusted correctly causeing too much slack in the chain. Try those for beginers. i know that didnt answer all your questions but try that first.

[Guest jjohart]

Thanks, I think your advice is a good start, but what about the coolant smell I get through the climate vents or heat when I drive or rev above 3,000rpm? Anything other than what the dealer said (exhaust gasket) that could be wrong here?

Thanks

John 83 280ZXT