ok i have ollked at hybridz and they say its ok to switch cam towers in doing a head swap to a internal oil cam n47 to a non with spray bar. if i switch towers will i be good as long as i have them numberd (if not i can do just switch). and have anybody ran there z with one cam tower broken? im new to engine work im going to do this for my next thing after the army and i wanna get a head start. i DO need my z back on the road so i need to know what to do just switch and go or try to get it going and wait for my head to get here.(yea i guess im kinda dumb for one question i like to do things right the first time but i really need it back on the road)

Take it to auto parts store with a machine shop and see how much. They'll do it right the first time like you would.

It won't hurt to try. Install the transplanted towers in order with the bolts only snug. Install the cam and rotate it while you tighten the cam bolts. It should turn freely. Oil the cam or use rebuild grease on its bearings when inserting.

What Blue said. You are changing the towers from one perfectly true surface to another, so there should not be a problem. Just make sure there is NO grime under the towers.Tighten them down evenly and in stages,and if any do show signs of binding, give them a crack near the base with a plastic hammer or block of wood.

ok sweet ill do that i like the the oiled cam vs the non it sounds like the spray bars fail often from what i have been reading. maybe ill ever redo the spary bar and put in a nice cam later. but right now just getting on the road is the thing i need.

everybody is so helpful on here thank you this will be a good test to see where my skills are .

next question is can i time it with out taking it all apart and keeping the chain tight removing the head and marking everything and putting it all back together ligned up?

just tweak it from there if i have to ill just go all the way but im just wondering if there is a better way?

next question is can i time it with out taking it all apart and keeping the chain tight removing the head and marking everything and putting it all back together ligned up?

just tweak it from there if i have to ill just go all the way but im just wondering if there is a better way?

Yes. Turn the engine to #1 TDC before you take the old head off and then wedge the chain. You can buy a wedge or make one. I made one from a scrap of wood 25 years ago and I've used it dozens of times. The dimensions are in the FSM if you want to get fancy. Once it's wedged, do not turn the crank at all or you will lose everything and be forced to pull the front cover.

do you happen to have any pics of any of the installs you have done because i wanna get this right the first time and skip the head ahc. im going to school for this stuff when i get out of the army(cant wait.) but ill find a way i dont wanna have to tear it all down and go from the bottem up.i really thank you for the help.

No pics, sorry.

Make sure you have the '78 FSM and read the engine mechanical section over and over before you begin. Once you understand it, follow it to the letter. If you simply do that, you should be fine. Everything you need to know is in that manual.

ok i thought i was good doing that in the first place and that is how i snaped the bolt but ok i have the nissan motor co.,ltd manual issued feb 1978. and a chiltons to but ill get cracking ive been doing this all week. this is just a thing at least i have extra parts. i have a e88 cam should i go a head and have it sent here i have read its a little more agressave but idk for now i just have to get this thing together.