new member help. I need some advice on the timing chain on my '86 22R motor. I put some mud slinging tires on i, a week ago later i hear the timing chain slapping against the cover. so i pulled the valve pan to inspect the chain with out thinking i grabbed the chain and pulled up off the cam gear and i know it didnt go back to the right spot a tooth or two off. i have not cranked the motor at all, scared of damageing motor but to install new chain gear and ect. can i rotate the motor by hand to all timing marks allign and reset old chain before instlling new chain? Any advice thanks.

 

Don't rotate it you risk the piston contacting the valves.. And you knew that already but incase someone else shows up searching. YIKES!

Obviously at some point you'll need to get it in sync again, pull the timing cover, count the links and teeth/valleys to realign the bright link and cam spot.

Not really sure man, maybe just pull the chain again and make sure it is tight on the D-side and put it back on the cam as best you can w/o rotating anything.

And finally the safest answer.

Unbolt the cam shaft from the head so all the valves are raised. Pull the plugs so you don't get compression. Replace the cam shaft bearing caps and head bolts. And rotate the crank to TDC, or whatever the book says(might be BDC). Then you can put the cam back in and replace your chain, per the Manual.

 

IF you do this you run the risk of blowing the headgasket. Its not designed to be retorqued.

 

I'll agree with that, but there are multiple instances on here of it being done. Some didn't even use a spacer to hold the head down.

Addendum: replace your head gasket

 

Back all the adjustment out of the exhaust valves so that they are as loose as possible, then you can place the cam back in time. Intake valves do not extend past head. With exhaust as loose as possible, you should clear the piston anyway. If you have only moved a tooth or two, you would probably be fine anyway. Was the block on 0 when you pulled the chain off? If so, only use the cam to adjust. Do remove the plugs if you have to turn the block at all.

 

Edit: From the factory, 22r is non interference. Exhaust valves will only contact if block or head has been milled.