Ok so I just did the head gasket on my 86 runner 22re and for the life of me cannot get the cam sprocket with chain reinstalled!! I tried a cherry picker, tried pulling on the tensioner side notta. So anyone got a trick? I'm thinking compress the tensioner but cannot get anything in there to compress it.....

The haynes manual says to rotate the crank but I really don't want to do that with the timing chain disconnected and I really don't see how that would help any....

 

it can be a pain.. like you said you need to stick somthing down in there and compress the tensioner. i use a long semi-skinny flat head scewdriver.

 

Use a 3/8" extension, I have one thats i dunno 18" or 2ft, dont remember now.. but you just slide it down and use it to push in the tensioner.. use it like pry bar.

It's very simple. any bar will work, even a wood dowel, tho metal is better, dont want it to break off in there =)

 

mine was really easy to do but i had my motor on a stand and the timing cover off

 

Put a breaker bar on the crank, wiggle it back and fowards slightly, and it will pop right on

 

 

I just did a new timing chain a week ago.

You need to install the cam gear before you install the tensioner an chain guides.

There is a hole in the cam that you can stick a punch in to rotate the cam a little bit to get things lined up.

Here is an excellent write up. Thanks to 4crawler!

http://www.4crawler.com/4x4/CheapTri...ingChain.shtml

Robb

 

In my rebuild i wouldn't get mine on either but if you do rotate it it will go on it makes no sense at all but it works.

 

uh did you read my post???

lol I know how to do it when doing the timing chain... problem is doing it when I have the timing cover/guides in place while doing the head gasket.
Rotating trick worked when doing the timing chain but isn't working now. Guess I'll work on trying to jam a screw driver in there.

Thanks guys

 

Ive done it lots of times with a long rod that can reach the chain tensioner and compress it so their is enough slack to slide the cam sprocket on the cam.

 

I'd have to say, put the gears, guides and chain on, then install the tensioner last. That worked well a few months ago when I did the chain on my truck.
you could zip-tie the tensioner in the compressed position, then install it, then cut the zip tie.

 

I swapped my stock cam sprocket for the LCE sprocket with everything else bolted in place.

 

I'm not saying it's not possible, just offering another option.

 

Wow, this quite the neclectic mix of opinions and experiences.

Few things to point out. If you're just doing a chain job, you could put everything on, ie.. chain lower sprocket, upper sprocket.. put it on the cam, install the tensioner/guides etc... since your forced to work with the cover off.

If you're doing a rebuild.. It's better to put the chain in, tensioner etc.. cover on... then the head...

like this


.. to avoid oil leaks where the cover meets the block and the headgsket overlaps the seam. This is also per the FSM.

Then, as already said use a rod to press the tensioner in to get the sprocket on the cam. I've never been able to wiggle the crank .. which is a pita anyways.. to get the sprocket to "wiggle" into place. Take the tension off the chain, it just slips on effortlessly

 

basically I'm at the point of the above picture with the head installed as well


I DO NOT HAVE THE TIMING COVER OFF otherwise I could easily compress the tensioner and be on my merry way..

 

You dont have take off the timing cover thatll work but to much time will be used up.Just find a long screwdriver or rod that is stiff enough to get inside on the chain tensioner side and so you can take the tension off the chain so you can just get enough to place the cam sprocket on the cam key.While you release the tension you have to have the chain lined up correctly on the sprocket.I used a zip tie to hold it together.Take a look at the picture.

 

Your original post doesn't say anything about the timing cover being installed already...

Good luck!

Robb

 

is your head torqued down? i had a little trouble with mine and i just wiggled it side to side and it kind of worked its way on there

 

+1, it's not that hard to do with the cover on.

 

oops my bad man