Disassembly of Timing Chain

1. Record the pre-set radio stations. Disconnect negative (-) battery cable. Remove radiator cap before raising vehicle.

2. Raise the vehicle on a hoist.

3. Remove the lower engine molded plastic cover.

4. Drain the engine oil.

5. Drain all engine coolant.
NOTE: Utilize the radiator petcock and engine block drain plug. The block plug is located on the left hand side of the engine block, near the freeze plugs.

6. Disconnect lower radiator hose and smaller diameter cooling hose directly behind it. Remove thermo-switch connector at lower hose junction.

7. On automatic transmission models, remove and plug the A/T coolant hoses.

FIGURE 1:

8. Unhook and remove the lower part of the radiator fan shroud by pushing on the tabs (Figure 1).

9. Remove (2) lower shroud screws.
10. Lower the vehicle.

FIGURE 2:

11. Remove the inlet duct (between the air filter assembly and the intake manifold rubber boot), by loosening and retaining the two hose clamps, the two plastic band clamps, one bolt and one screw (Figure 2).
12. Disconnect the upper radiator hose.

13. Reposition (but do not disconnect) the vacuum hoses and harness behind the back edge of the shroud.

14. At the left hand side of the shroud, remove the one large and two small vacuum hoses from the shroud clips. At the right hand side of the shroud, remove the radiator reservoir hose from the two shroud clips.
NOTE: On A/T models, remove the A/T hose from the bottom shroud clip.

15. Remove the 2 upper shroud mounting screws.

16. Remove the shroud plates from the shroud.

17. Remove and retain the top radiator mounts.

18. Carefully remove the shroud. For ease of removal, lift the driver's side first.
CAUTION: Use care not to damage the radiator fins when removing the shroud.

19. Carefully remove the radiator.
CAUTION: Place a sheet of cardboard in front of the engine fan. Gently pull the radiator up and position it back toward the engine.

20. Remove the cooling fan/clutch assembly.

21. Remove power steering, A/C compressor, and alternator drive belts.

22. Remove top idler pulley, idler bracket, power steering pump (it is not necessary to disconnect lines), power steering pump brackets, A/C idler pulley, and alternator bracket.

23. Remove distributor cap; turn over engine until piston # 1 is on T.D.C.

FIGURE 3:

24. Carefully remove distributor. Using a metal scribe, scratch a line at the timing cover which matches the flat part on the top of the oil pump/ignition distributor drive spindle (Figure 3). THIS IS A CRITICAL ALIGNMENT PROCEDURE. ELIMINATING THIS STEP WILL CAUSE GREAT DIFFICULTY IN RE-ALIGNING THE OIL PUMP/DISTRIBUTOR ASSEMBLY AND RE-SETTING THE TIMING.
25. Remove rocker cover.

26. Remove timing cover top perimeter bolts.

FIGURE 4:

27. Remove crankshaft pulley.
NOTE: The crankshaft pulley nut may be REMOVED with an impact gun, but should NEVER BE INSTALLED using this tool.

It may be necessary to use a gear puller (such as, Snap-On CJ-85-1 or equivalent). In this case, leave bolt partially threaded into crank so that crank threads are not damaged during removal (Figure 4).
28. Raise vehicle.

FIGURE 5:

29. Slowly withdraw the oil pump and drive spindle assembly from the timing chain cover. Before clearing the cover with the assembly, clean oil pump and drive spindle housings. Put a paint mark for alignment on each part. Then, along the same line, scribe an alignment mark on the timing chain cover (Figure 5).
NOTE: The old paper-type oil pump gasket must be discarded and replaced with a new one.

FIGURE 6:

30. Removal of the oil pan requires several operations. Great care and patience must be used with these procedures.
A. Support the transmission with a suitable jack.
B. Remove right/left transmission support brackets.
C. Remove transmission bell housing cover plates (as appropriate).
D. Remove oil pan bolts (12). The ones located at the rear may require a 1/4" drive ratchet with a flex extension to remove.
E. Completely remove front sway bar.
F. Remove right/left nuts for engine mounts.
G. Loosen, but do not remove, front suspension cross-member mounting nuts
(4) to allow clearance for removal of the oil pan (Figure 6).

FIGURE 7:

30.
H. Carefully remove oil pan from engine block using Nissan Special Service Tool [Kent-Moore J-37228] (Figure 7).
CAUTION: Do not use a screwdriver to pry oil pan from engine block. It is very easy to distort/bend the oil pan sheet metal.

I. The final step in removing the oil pan from the vehicle may require jacking the transmission higher. It will now be possible to clear the pan from the oil pump pickup by carefully pulling it toward the front of the vehicle.

31. Remove the remaining timing cover perimeter bolts.

FIGURE 8:

32. At this point, the timing cover is still held in place by two hoses.

A. The U-shaped hose which carries by-pass coolant between the water pump and intake manifold should be left attached at its intake manifold side. Loosen its timing cover side clamp and spray the metal pipe (inside the hose) with silicone. This hose can only be separated from the timing chain cover when the entire assembly is removed (Figure 8).
32.
B. The other hose, a crankcase vent hose, can most easily be moved out of the way by separating the crankcase vent housing from the timing chain cover (there are three attachment bolts for this housing).

33. The timing chain cover may now be removed.

34. Lower vehicle.

FIGURE 9:

35. Clean and inspect the timing chain cover for cracks or wear, possibly caused by timing chain interference. If appropriate, replace the cover.
Note: There are two special oil seals (metal with silicone rubber beads), P/N's 15066-40F01 and 15066-40F11. They may be imbedded on the engine block or in their mating position on the timing chain cover. These seals must be replaced! (Figure 9).

FIGURE 10:

36. Remove timing chain tensioner (Figure 10).

37. Remove timing chain guide (Figure 10).
SPECIAL ALIGNMENT NOTE: Before removing the timing chain for inspection, it is essential to scribe a mark at the cam sprocket/timing chain interface and to scribe another mark at the crankshaft sprocket/timing chain interface.

FIGURE 11:

38. Remove crankshaft oil splash plate.
Caution: Note direction of plate before removal. Remove camshaft sprocket bolt and, as an assembly, lower timing chain from the bottom of the cylinder head (Figure 11).

FIGURE 12:

A. Check timing chain for cracks and excessive wear at roller links. Replace, if necessary (Figure 12).