Hi, I've finally gotten to the point where i can install the new chain / guides / tensioner. (edit - engine is a 22r 1984) The t-chain is on and everything looks like it should as in the 4crawler post (http://www.4crawler.com/4x4/CheapTri...ingChain.shtml)

I have 2 questions... first, my new timing chain has 1 bright link on one end, and 2 bright links on the other! so i have the 2 bright links at the bottom, and the dimple is lined up with the left-most one, where it seems to want to go. Any thoughts? The dimples are almost exactly where they appear in 4crawler reference picture - about halfway down that page

the other question has to do with the 'pre-loading of the cam gear' in order to increase tension on the driver's side of the chain. How is this possible, without changing where the links line up with the dimples? has anybody done this and would like to give some pointers?

thanks a (half) ton,
yota_mkii

 

Pictures!!!!!!

 

Once you have your timing marks lined up, and your chain fitted properly and lined up, you can slightly rotate the crank clockwise, or the cam counter-clockwise, and it will tension the driver side of the chain. It won't take much if you have your marks aligned and chain on properly.it just causes all the slack to go to the passenger side, which is where the tensioner absorbs the slack. The driver side guide is there to keep centrifugal force from allowing the chain to contact the timing cover, and therefore eating into the coolant passage (which is what will happen with a worn factory solid plastic guide, metal backed guides are a good upgrade).

 

thanks guys i'll take some pics tomorrow. Still wondering about those two bright links side by side on the t-chain (one side only - the other side has 1 bright link as expected) perhaps to accomodate for use in an engine that is set to -5 deg TDC?

 

Per the FSM, page EM-44, place the timing chain on the crankshaft sprocket with the single bright link aligned with the timing mark on the sprocket.
Then it says to place the timing chain on the camshaft sprocket so the timing mark is bright shiny link. To me the last part seems like a typo meaning that the two bright shiny links should go either side of the timing mark on the camshaft sprocket?

 

///wont upload a 700k image and i';m too tired to hunt down some file compression ... two bright links at one end, one at the other. it seems safe to me ..(famous last words?) i checked to make sure cylinder 1 was compressing (finger in the hole method) since the cam was totally out. so i assume that i'm at tdc compression stroke on cyl 1. my mechanic friend ripped the distributor out without putting a mark, and i'm on my own when i get there. time to torgue the guide and tensioner bolts, clean the tchain cover, and put this (expletive deleted) thing back together. too bad its winter out there now. i will have lots of spare parts (smog pump, ac compressor, condensor - i'm switching alternators as well to solve an over-voltage problem that has persisted)

 

https://www.yotatech.com/forums/f120...-guide-237689/
Bam!

 

Does anyone know what the deals is with the 2 bright links at one end of the chain? Does the CAM mark go in between those two and the single link on the CRANK? Thanks, I'm having the same problem.