I have been having misfire issues on my 93 22re, and after doing a compression test, found I have a blown HG or Valve issue. My compression was about 160 on 1-3, and 40 on 4. Anyways, I have decided to replace the head gasket and rebuild the head. I have done this before on a nissan ka24e on my 240sx which is pretty similar to the 22re. When I removed the timing chain sprocket on the nissan, I stuck a wedge into the guides so the timing chain tensioners wouldn't take up the slack, as per the FSM's instructions.

For the 22re, neither the FSM or any other writeup I could find mentions anything about this. Is this not necessary for the 22re?

 

no, it's not necessary on the 22re.
when you re-install, the timing chain has identifying links as does the crank and cam gears have marks. line everything up, even if the tensioner is slack, and go from there. the tensioner uses oil pressure to adjust and take up tension on the slack side of the chain.

 

Zip tie your sprocket to the chain when you remove it off the cam. The sprocket will just slide off the cam. But you're gonna have to use the wedge technique to get the sprocket back on when you put the head back on. I use a 3/8" by like 2ft socket extension. Slide it down betwee the chain then just use it to push the tensioner in so the slack is given up on the chain allowing the sprocket to move up and slide easily onto the cam.

You just have to rest sprocket in the upper chain guides when you remove the head. btw

and FYI:
Also there is a hidden bolt in the front of the head that bolts into the top of the front cover. It's commonly overlooked or missed because it sits in a pool of oil and is covered. It's a 12mm head.

 

This is what I mean by ziptieing the sprocket and resting it in the guides. Seems like the chain would be hard to split off the sprocket but imo isnt worth the risk =)



Btw, stay away from Felpro Head Gaskets. Get the kit from Tod at www.engnbldr.com if you can. It's like 40 bucks and his HG (same one on my motor in the pic) is unbeatable. Also comes with new valve stem seals (his kit).

Goodluck

 

Definitely use a ziptie like the above but I went one step further and put a tie around just the chain under the sprocket to make sure it stayed engaged to the sprocket and didn't slip at all. Then you can just set it on the guides and not worry about it.

The way the timing cover is designed it's just about impossible for the bottom to come off the lower timing gear.

 

Thanks for the information guys! I was going to ask about the chain dropping off the lower sproket gear! I think I will go with the engnbldr head gasket, it looks like a good deal with the head bolts.

 

Once the chain tensioner is install, unless its depressed (by you) the chain cannot come off the bottom sprocket. And after the cover is installed, its physically impossible for it to come off the lower sprocket.

The ziptie is just a .. why not be safe than sorry .. sorta thing, not totally neccessary because it'd be hard to get the chain off it undeliberately. But like said, better safe than sorry than having the chain come off and fall into the cover which isnt an end all situation. I dropped a 12mm short socket down there other day, man that was a PITA to get out but... you get my drift =)