Is there any way to loosen the timing chain tensioner on an 82 280ZX? I was changing the headgasket and when we pulled the head the timing chain got knocked off of the board that was holding it in place so the tensioner locked down and I don't know how to loosen it. I know there has to be some way of undoing what I did it's just a matter of figuring it out. Thanks in advance.

-Matt

 

Do you know that the timing chain has now come off the teeth on the lower sprocket? You're screwed....

time to remove the oil pump and front cover.

 

that's what i was afraid of

 

You should have made a timing chain wedge, not just something to hold it up. Ive used the wedge I made twice without failure.

Previously, I tried to hold the chain up with something like you did. The chain fell just a little. I tried for a long time to get the tensioner back in without luck. i remove the front cover and struggled to get the tensioner in. it is very tight and would be nearly impossible to get it in with a long screwdriver from the top of the front cover. Plus I knew for sure that I got the timing chain back on properly.

 

hey I'm rebiulding my engine and just put the head back on. So I checked on a timing chain kit and found one at auto-zone for about $70.00. That is the six piece set(both sprockets, chain, tensioner, and both the runners that the chain rides on inside the front cover). It had marks on the two sprockets as well as the chain. You simply line them up and your timing is right. Just figured I would let you know.

 

There's some good info...

Thanks, FastZ

 

Seems like I´m not the only one who made yhat mistake The bright side of it is that I could repaint the front cover and change all the gaskets and the oil seal

 

Thanks for the info FastZ

 

http://www.importedcarparts.com/ has them for less usually. $50 to $60. If they don't list the whole kit for the 280ZX, just buy the 240Z kit. Its all the same.

Currently the price is $67, but it varies month to month. I got mine a while back for $54.

 

No problem.
Hopefully I was some help.