okay, i put a new refurb head on my 77 280z and everything went well until when i went to put the head chain sprocket on. yep, damn chain tensioner popped out! now comes the many questions to make sure i do everything right and nothing goes wrong. first, is the crank pully bolt left hand threaded or right handed (left to loosen or right to loosen?) and since the chain is not connected to the head, what is the best way to loosen the bolt off to get to the chain tensioner without moving the crank and getting the head/crank out of timing? second, do i have to remove the tie rod to get the oil pump off or does it just come out? then, before i connect the chain from the crank to the head, how do i make sure everything is in time and i don't shoot a valve through a piston or anything? any other pointers or any other guidance will be greatly appreciated. thank you guys

 

I suggest getting a Haynes manual as all these steps are in there & you will definitely need it in the future. It's $14 very well spent. The crank bolt is normal threaded (top is moving left as you unscrew it).

 

I have a "Haynes Manual" and a "How To Rebuild Your Nissan & Datsun OHC Engine" and neither one of those address any of the questions I posted, even though they are very good manuals (especially when used together) as you said. any more info would be very helpful and much appreciated. I just don't want to make any mistakes.

 

In the ENGINE chapter of the Haynes manual there is a section dedicated to putting together the timing parts. It explains the steps as well as has pics. The motor must be at TDC (top dead center). The crank has markings & so does the cam to show TDC. Once they are in the correct location, line up the crank & cam markings w/ the timing chain markings & wa-la!

 

thank you, although, I already understand all that (except for the timing marks on the cam cuz even at TDC it still didn't match what the book says) and my other questions still remain...whats the best way to loosen the crank bolt without the crank moving (I am thinking of using an impact gun on it but i still don't want it to move) and then, do i have to drop the front tie rod to remove the oil pump? i think i am going to have to do it, but just asking. thanks NISMO

 

An impact gun will work best, but there isn't enough room for one unless the radiator has been removed. Next up would be a breaker bar. Put the car in 5th gear, parking brake on, blocks in front of the tires, and loosen it. And no, you don't do anything with the tie rods... they aren't in the way of anything. I believe you are actually talking about the sway bar. Yes, you do need to drop the front brackets & let it hang down to get the oil pump out & back in.

 

alrighty then. impact gun it is. yeah, i already got the radiator out and almost the water pump too but i'm dealing with a broken bolt at the moment: and also, yeah, the sway bar.....that's it. thats what i meant. thanks alot for your help NismoPick!