boostedZ Posted March 24, 2009 Share Posted March 24, 2009 hi i need some help with this. i have a 83 280zx turbo and just changed the head gasket, but when we put everything together, the timing chain keeps slipping twice already and won't start. what can i do to make it not slip? thank you in advance. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
blue72 Posted March 24, 2009 Share Posted March 24, 2009 Did you wedge the timing chain in place before removing the cam gear? If not then the chain wasn't pulled tight enough and the tensioner probably popped out. Now you'll have to remove the front cover to put it back in place. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
boostedZ Posted March 24, 2009 Author Share Posted March 24, 2009 yes my dad said he did do that, so we're really confused rite now, we can't figure out the cause of this, we align everything like the book and when we go try and start the engine, it slips. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
blue72 Posted March 24, 2009 Share Posted March 24, 2009 Is it slipping as in jumping teeth on the gears? The only other kind of slipping I can think of at the moment would involve not tightening down the cam gear bolt or something along those lines. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
woldson Posted March 25, 2009 Share Posted March 25, 2009 How loose is the chain?? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
attworth Posted March 25, 2009 Share Posted March 25, 2009 I'm still sort of confused as to what you're really experiencing. Seems like it'd be a good idea to take the timing cover off to make sure you've got everything honky dory. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
roger.svoboda Posted March 25, 2009 Share Posted March 25, 2009 sure sounds like a tensioner issue if the engine was running before the head gasket replacement. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jayzrocket Posted March 26, 2009 Share Posted March 26, 2009 Did the pin that holds the cam gear to the camshaft shear or come out? Check that before pulling the timing cover. But if your luck is like mine, the tensioner probably poped out. You should be able to shine a flashlight down into the front cover from the passenger side of the car and see if the tensioner is in place, about halfway down the chain. Good luck. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
boostedZ Posted March 26, 2009 Author Share Posted March 26, 2009 well we just took everything off again to make sure everything was correct and it was, but the car still won't start. everything seems fine, and seems to be working but it just won't start. we have fuel and spark. anyone have any ideas for me to try? im at a breaking point right now thanks Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Administrators RTz Posted March 26, 2009 Administrators Share Posted March 26, 2009 yes my dad said he did do that, so we're really confused rite now, we can't figure out the cause of this, we align everything like the book and when we go try and start the engine, it slips. How do you know its slipping? I'm betting it's not. Was the car running fine before the gasket swap? Tell us *EXACTLY* how you set the cam timing. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
rags Posted March 26, 2009 Share Posted March 26, 2009 Are you sure the plugs are firing at the top of the compression stroke and not at the top of the exhaust stroke? Joe Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
islanddozer Posted March 27, 2009 Share Posted March 27, 2009 Are you sure the plugs are firing at the top of the compression stroke and not at the top of the exhaust stroke? Joe BINGO turn rotor 180* after removing dizzy and install Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Administrators RTz Posted March 27, 2009 Administrators Share Posted March 27, 2009 BINGOturn rotor 180* after removing dizzy and install The rotor doesn't turn 180. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
nismopick Posted March 27, 2009 Share Posted March 27, 2009 ^^^ It can on the 280zx TURBO... the oil pump shaft to dizzy key is in the center, which means you can technically install it 180* off TDC. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Administrators RTz Posted March 27, 2009 Administrators Share Posted March 27, 2009 The ROTOR doesn't clock 180, the quill shaft does. Better? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Chemicalblue Posted March 27, 2009 Share Posted March 27, 2009 BINGOturn rotor 180* after removing dizzy and install The rotor doesn't turn 180. I think he is suggesting that the distributor drive gear is not in its proper position. For a quick test you can remove the distributor locking bolts and advance or retard the timing to see if it will fire. I wouldn't suggest cranking the ignition for long periods of time with out it firing up, fuel build up could result in the ol' ECE External Combustion Event. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
woldson Posted March 27, 2009 Share Posted March 27, 2009 Been there!! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
boostedZ Posted March 27, 2009 Author Share Posted March 27, 2009 the car was running fine before we replaced the head gasket. first we set the cams just how the book told us, but it wouldn't run, so then we tried setting the cam on the number 1 center point like how the previous owner had it, and the plug and crank is set just like the book told us. i'm not sure if the plugs are firing at the top of the compression stroke or exhaust stroke, how would i check that? im totally lost on what to do. i tried falling the book and putting it back the way it was from the previous owner. any other ideas? thank you all in advance Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
boostedZ Posted March 27, 2009 Author Share Posted March 27, 2009 also, i have been cranking the ignition for long periods of time. what is "the ol' ECE External Combustion Event." could that mess things up, if so, how would i know if it did and how to fix that? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
stravi757 Posted March 27, 2009 Share Posted March 27, 2009 You dont want to keep cranking if it doesnt start! if i were you i would just redo my timing again. its not to difficult, especially since i was able to do it just winging it. If you are sure you have spark and fuel then i would just try and make sure you set the timing right.For the cylinder head just line it up with the mark(not to difficult) and to get the crank TDC all you have to do is put your finger on the #1 cylinder where the spark plug goes and turn the crank untill you feel air push your finger. thats how you know your on the compression stroke. to me it sounds like theres something wrong with your tenshioner, so if i were you i would just buy a whole new timming kit and do the above. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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