Timing Chain: Service and Repair

1. Drain cooling system.
2. Disconnect negative battery cable.
3. Loosen accessory drive belt idler, then remove drive belt and water pump pulley.
4. Remove power steering pump mounting bracket attaching bolts, then remove assembly with hoses connected, positioning pump aside.
5. Remove A/C compressor front support bracket, leaving compressor in place.
6. Disconnect coolant bypass hose and heater hose at water pump, then the upper radiator hose at thermostat housing.
7. Disconnect coil wire from distributor cap, then remove cap with plug wires attached. Remove distributor hold-down clamp and distributor.
8. Raise and support vehicle.
9. Remove crankshaft pulley and damper using suitable puller. If crankshaft pulley and damper have to be separated, mark damper and pulley for reassembly reference, as damper and pulley are balanced as a unit and should be installed back to their original position.
10. Remove oil filter and disconnect lower radiator hose.
11. Remove oil pan.
12. Lower vehicle.

Front Cover Bolt Locations:

13. Remove front cover attaching bolts.

CAUTION: Ensure attaching bolt behind oil filter adapter is removed to avoid damaging cover upon removal.

14. Remove ignition timing indicator.
15. Remove front cover and water pump as an assembly. Remove and discard cover gasket.
16. Remove camshaft bolt and washer from end of camshaft.
17. Remove distributor drive gear.

Timing Chain Components:

18. Remove camshaft sprocket, crankshaft sprocket and timing chain. If crankshaft sprocket is difficult to remove, pry it off the shaft using two large screwdrivers.
19. Remove chain tensioner assembly from front of cylinder block. This requires pulling back on ratcheting mechanism, then installing pin through hole on bracket to hold tension relieved.

Fig. 9 Timing Chain Alignment:

20. Reverse procedure to install. Align timing chain and sprockets by placing No. 1 cylinder at TDC and crankshaft keyway at 12 o'clock position. Ensure pin holding tensioner in retracted position is removed.