Hey im doin headgasket on my buddys 91 nissan stanza 2.4 and the only thing i would like to do some research on is locking the cam in its most advanced position to release the lock pin ( so i can remove the chain tensioner) Apparently the cam is retarded with car off but uses oil pressure to set cam advance when running. To do this i was reading : apply air pressure to the rear most oil port in the head where the valve timing control solenoid mounts. Listen closely , you can hear the internal pin disengage in the sproket, Keeping the air aplied turn the cam clockwise w/ box wrence on hex part of cam.
Anyone done this before? pointers? theres no way to do this without compressed air? any help appreciated, thanks.
You could try tapping some threads into the oil port and thread in a brass fitting with a hose barb on it.
Then with hose and a cheap basket ball pump have one person pump while you perform your procedure.
You could also try using a one way valve from a power brake booster to maintain pressure. The pump should have one built in anyway.
A fluid pump with some motor oil should do to.
I have never tried this as I have a supply of pressurized air. Im just brain storming for ya
If you do tap threads into the engine be sure to use axle/bearing grease on the tap so the shavings stick to it and come out instead of falling into the engines oil galleries!
hey thanks for the ideas, i have a crappy compreesor i left at my buddys but… where is this actual “rear most oil port”? sounds sketchy to me, knowing the motor was severely overheated and the head is problaby warped being repair ( read nissan opposes shaving too much off these heads for many reason) if im going to need a new head i might as well get a whole jy motor and toss it in for the same price… by the time i get the head off, checked, shaved, gaskets, ect, i could have the new motor in and car out.