MJLamberson Posted February 22, 2009 Share Posted February 22, 2009 So Im going to be putting in my new head gasket on monday or tuesday, but I have never done this before, I feel pretty confident and know about TDC and all that, I just dont know what to do about the timing chain during the process, I know that you have to keep it tight and not let it fall. I know there is a tool for this but I dont have time to buy one, A friend of mine who has done this before said he tried making one out of wood but it failed and he had to tear down the front of the engine... do you guys have any advice for me on this matter? pics of what the tool looks like, maybe I can jerry rig something up? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
zedman240 Posted February 22, 2009 Share Posted February 22, 2009 I've made a wedge out of MDF fiber board and it has worked well; as long as when you are knocking into place you don't force it in like its holding the world together.. Just make sure you attach a strong small eye bolt so when it comes time for removal, the wire you are using to pull it out doesn't break/come loose.. If you can make one out of Nylon plastic that should work well Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MJLamberson Posted February 22, 2009 Author Share Posted February 22, 2009 Im not even sure what shape to make it, how tight does the timing chain need to be? the top part can have slack right? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MJLamberson Posted February 22, 2009 Author Share Posted February 22, 2009 Been searching and one guy tied his timing chain to the block with zip ties, sounds easy enough, but people in that thread called it a bad idea. hmm Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ozconnection Posted February 22, 2009 Share Posted February 22, 2009 http://forums.hybridz.org/showthread.php?t=144304 Try this, in there I give you the dimensions of my 'tool' and how to use it Ha Ha. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
slown280z Posted February 22, 2009 Share Posted February 22, 2009 Just find a screwdriver that will snugly fit down the timing cover. Make sure it's long enough to pull out (blade facing up). If you don't have a wide enough one, wrap it in electrical tape. Or go buy the right tool. Or read the FSM, it has the dimensions in it. (if not the FSM then the Haynes manual has it) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
islanddozer Posted February 22, 2009 Share Posted February 22, 2009 Piece of clean plwood, tape chain to wood Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TimZ Posted February 22, 2009 Share Posted February 22, 2009 The chain tool serves two purposes: 1) keeping the tensioner from falling out or getting cocked 2) keeping the timing chain in a known position on the lower sprocket Making a tool of your own is fine, so long as you use the proper shape to acheive 1) and 2) above. Tie wrapping the chain or shoving a screwdriver down there seems pretty risky to me, especially considering the correct tool only costs about $12 ( http://www.thezstore.com/page/TZS/PROD/TE/60-9921 ). Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
blue72 Posted February 22, 2009 Share Posted February 22, 2009 I've got one of the tools MSA offers. It's simply a piece of plastic that fits down between the chain at the very bottom and prevents the tensioner from pushing out too far. The piece of wood sits closer to the top and wedges itself between the guides to hold the chain and tensioner in place. Either one seem to work fine. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MJLamberson Posted February 23, 2009 Author Share Posted February 23, 2009 Alright thanks everyone, wish me luck, todays the day, I think everything will go smoothly. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
naviathan Posted February 23, 2009 Share Posted February 23, 2009 I'll second a wood wedge. I've used the MSA tool and it slipped while removing the head. I cut a piece of 2x4 into a wedge shape that fit between the guides, split it in two halves because it was too wide and put a hole in it for a string. With that I just tap it lightly in place between the chain before removing the sprocket and I've never had it fall through again. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
lowrider Posted February 23, 2009 Share Posted February 23, 2009 There is a diagram in the haynes manuel that gives the dimensions of the wedge. If i was at home i would scan it, but unfortunately im at school. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MJLamberson Posted February 23, 2009 Author Share Posted February 23, 2009 Hey thanks everyone, Im about to pull the head off right now, just taking a break to say that my wood timing chain holder works! so far anyway... Im going to be on the road again soon! everything is going well, But I have no clue how people say they can change a head gasket in 2 hours... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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