As some of you may know, I began work on my '81 280ZX (165K miles).

This is what I'm about to do:
1. DONE - Install replacement hatch back door (original door has broken glass).
2. DONE - Install driver side window (car came with no driver side glass).
(Have not started on the steps 3 and 4 yet.)
3. Finish clearing the way to change timing chain.
4. This weekend I'll replace: timing chain, water pump, fan clutch, thermostat, thermostat housing, spark plugs, spark plug wires, dist. cap, dist. rotor, valve cover gasket, oil filter and oil.

My question to you guys is: is it a good idea to replace the timing chain on this car?

Reason why I'm asking is because I've been reading, in this forums and on Haynes manual, and it's a lot of freakin' work!

I know that sooner or later, due the mileage, I'm going to have to do rebuild the engine.

When I drove the car from its previous owner, I really didn't notice anything strange that could point to a problem with timing chain.

 

Is this a re-post? :s-redeemer:

Rod.

 

I've done that job a dozen times.... it's never a fun one. I personally wouldn't replace it unless needed. Sometimes timing chains stretch & become less efficient, but I've never come across that on an L28. Nissan did well when they made it a double wide chain.

So my advice: don't change it unless you pull the head, or are in there for a complete engine rebuild.

 

I THINK ROD HAS A THING FOR MUNITIONS

 

Ok, thank you.

I kinda realized how much work it was once I finished reading the Haynes book on timing belt replacement.

 

Not really.

I did copy and paste my to-do list (from my first post) for the car, but I'm just trying to avoid changing the timing chain and I was asking for an opinion from you guys.