engine clattering - advise needed

[Farmer42]

You should have 8 thou (0.2mm) on the inlet and 10thou (0.22mm) on the exhaust when the engine is cold.

If you timing chain is slack, I would strongly recommend that you check your timing marks on the cam sprocket line up. There should be a mark that lines up with one on the head and with a shiny link on the chain. If they don't then you have slipped a tooth and it will have thrown your valve timing out which would account for the knocking as the valve could be hitting the piston.

 

[jonbills]

those clearances are OK if a little tight.
In the video, that's a lot of play on the the tight side. What is the other side like?

 

[Mark N]

Was that slack put in when you turned the cam to check the clearances?

 

[jonbills]

Was that slack put in when you turned the cam to check the clearances?

that's a great question Mark, didn't even occur to me that that might have happened.

 

[istoo]

Moved it round so the slack was on that side.

Was that slack put in when you turned the cam to check the clearances?

yes. trying it at varying points there is play. looking down the guide on the non tensioner side it is visibley worn .

 

[istoo]

You should have 8 thou (0.2mm) on the inlet and 10thou (0.22mm) on the exhaust when the engine is cold.

If you timing chain is slack, I would strongly recommend that you check your timing marks on the cam sprocket line up. There should be a mark that lines up with one on the head and with a shiny link on the chain. If they don't then you have slipped a tooth and it will have thrown your valve timing out which would account for the knocking as the valve could be hitting the piston.

Tried this too, all fine,

 

[istoo]

away to order a timing chain kit plus sprockets etc.
Without MJP.. is there anywhere in the UK likely to have this in stock?

 

[jonbills]

rotating the cam clockwise means all bets are off, the slack side tensioner setup is not designed for that.
what is the slop/slack like on the slack side after the engine has been run?

 

[Farmer42]

away to order a timing chain kit plus sprockets etc.
Without MJP.. is there anywhere in the UK likely to have this in stock?

Rock Auto. You will have it in 4 days, probably as quick as ordering from the UK. You need to use the FedEx service when ordering.

 

[istoo]

rotating the cam clockwise means all bets are off, the slack side tensioner setup is not designed for that.
what is the slop/slack like on the slack side after the engine has been run?

can still put my finger under it and move it back and forth the sping gives up quite easy.

 

[Albrecht]

can still put my finger under it and move it back and forth the sping gives up quite easy.

If you're going to embark on replacing the timing chain tensioner, guides, chain, crank sprocket(?) and cam sprocket (?) you might as well take the front cover off and have a proper look at what's going on.

 

[istoo]

Rock Auto. You will have it in 4 days, probably as quick as ordering from the UK. You need to use the FedEx service when ordering.

Took less than 48hrs to arrive at my highland postcode. Incredibly quick.

 

[istoo]

update:
timing kit all done.
initally feedback was good
then it wasnt, metal in sump.

Garage (owner/mechanic) I trust is currently working on his own, lost his mechanic to covid19.
This will be too time consuming/costly undertaking for him to go further so, i understand his current position.
So now I have to get the car home, route cause still not diagnosed, but definately engine out and diaagnose the problem first
Then rebuild. In debate whether I have someone else more skilled do it (you know who you are!) or take the brave pill and do it myself

As an otherwise reliable car, I want to get it back on the road and going as quick as i can thus have been hunting for a replacement engine.
Ideally a straight swap, but iafter a month of hunting, I can not find anything that doesnt need work.
Prices of engines are wildly variable, as is their condition.
I have an ad up on the members wanted section, and its still open.

So two things.
First, find out whats wrong
Second, a spare engine/ good engine (if anyone has an engine they would sell, consider selling, please pm me.)

Thanks for all the help so far folks.

 

[uk66fastback]

I think you’re better off rebuilding the one you’ve got to be honest, unless you can drop one in already done.

 

[istoo]

Update:
Engine out as of Monday, have engine stand now and car going into storage whilst I work my way through the engine in trying to find the fault.
Hoping to use the knowledge in here and from car community up here who are all offering help.

Perhaps may shift to a new thread. Will keep you posted as i uncover the issues.

 

[jonbills]

Update:
Engine out as of Monday, have engine stand now and car going into storage whilst I work my way through the engine in trying to find the fault.
Hoping to use the knowledge in here and from car community up here who are all offering help.

Perhaps may shift to a new thread. Will keep you posted as i uncover the issues.

I look forward to the pics!

 

[istoo]

Thanks jon, at the very least I can provide entertainment. Best way to learn is get hands first as I see it… I say that now…

 

[nospark]

You probably know about the book "How to modify your Nissan and Datsun OHC engine". Just checking in case you didn't know

 

[nospark]

OOOPS. I met to direct you to the book "How to rebuild your Nissan and Datsun OHC engine" not the one I mentioned above.

 

[istoo]

OOOPS. I met to direct you to the book "How to rebuild your Nissan and Datsun OHC engine" not the one I mentioned above.

Acquired last year!