Timing kit differences?

[siteunseen]

What would be different from a 2.4 kit versus a 2.8 kit?  MSA shows one for '70 thru '74, then another for '75 thru '83.

 

Thanks for any help, I've got the the one for the 2.8 but I need to put it on a 2.4.

Do I need to buy another one?  Maybe I can re-use the gears if they're different, that's all I can think of, the cam sprocket maybe because of the fuel pump.

 

Thanks again, 

Cliff

[zcarnut]

The only different I’m aware of is that the L28 curved timing chain guide (13091-N4201) is more sturdy than the L24 one (13091-A3500). This is the guide on the slack side of the chain.

 

Because of this, I have always used the L28 one, even when re-building a L24 engine.

[Zed Head]

That is weird.  The L28 kit costs more, but wouldn't have the fuel pump drive cam.  And if the L28 guide is better, why even sell the weak L24 guide.  Maybe people just like to see identical replacements parts in their kits, so MSA gave them that to stop the questions.

 

http://www.thezstore.com/page/TZS/PROD/10-2050

 

http://www.thezstore.com/page/TZS/PROD/10-2051

 

Maybe they've been doing it for a while but MSA now has Kameari parts.  Upgrade your cam control!  For just a few dollars more.

 

http://www.thezstore.com/page/TZS/PROD/10-5470

[siteunseen]

Zedhead I can only find one small difference. The straight tight side guide has a little more indent the the OE one from the 2.4. It opens up a very little more on some hole in the front of the block. I'm gonna take some pictures to look at. Tell me what you think. I don't now what the purpose is of the hole.

Thanks for the kermani tip. I'll look into that.

[siteunseen]

The new one for the 2.8 actually closes off more of that cavity. I think I have it backwards above.

[grannyknot]

Cliff, that hole is there to collect thick oily goo

[siteunseen]

Cliff, that hole is there to collect thick oily goo

Is that good for something? Should I worry or buy a 240 tight side guide? Everything else seems to be the same.

Thank you Chris, I thought that was a coolant pocket.

[Zed Head]

I looked in the How To Rebuild book and can't find any sign that there's a difference in the L24 and L28 blocks besides bore.  He doesn't mention the different timing chain guides either.  Nissan probably did some minor mold clean up when they went to the N42 L28 block but if zcarnut can use the L28 piece on his L24 blocks, the bolt holes must be the same.  It's probably a like-for-like piece, just so people get the same as what they're replacing.

 

I've never seen anyone notice that before though.  A new mystery.

 

 

p.s. I was joking on the Kameari kit.  Unless you're planning for 13,000 RPM.

[siteunseen]

A new mystery!

 

[zcarnut]

…I've never seen anyone notice that before though…  

 

 

The difference in the curved guide was mentioned by Gene Crowe (Bob Sharp’s head mechanic) way back in 1977 in a print article he did about blueprinting a L24 race engine:

 

“ …The curved timing chain guide should be moved toward the chain to take up [any] excess slack and the heavier 280Z guide should be used…”

 

The fact that there are two kits is probably because Nissan continued to use the 13091-A3500 guide on the later L24E engines (found in the 810 and early Maxima models). But I don’t know why Nissan would have continued to use two different guides during the 1976-1983 time period.

 

BTW, the L24 and L28 straight guides have the same part number (13085-21002), so I can’t see why they would be different.

 

 

…The L28 kit costs more, but wouldn't have the fuel pump drive cam… 

 

 

I’ve never seen the fuel pump cam included in one of the [L24] aftermarket kits.

[siteunseen]

The difference in the curved guide was mentioned by Gene Crowe (Bob Sharp’s head mechanic) way back in 1977 in a print article he did about blueprinting a L24 race engine:

 

“ …The curved timing chain guide should be moved toward the chain to take up [any] excess slack and the heavier 280Z guide should be used…”

 

The fact that there are two kits is probably because Nissan continued to use the 13091-A3500 guide on the later L24E engines (found in the 810 and early Maxima models). But I don’t know why Nissan would have continued to use two different guides during the 1976-1983 time period.

 

BTW, the L24 and L28 straight guides have the same part number (13085-21002), so I can’t see why they would be different.

 

 

 

 

I’ve never seen the fuel pump cam included in one of the [L24] aftermarket kits.

Thank you, thank you! 

 

Cliff 

[siteunseen]

There is definitely a difference in a 2.4 timing kit and a 2.8!  All the parts stores show different part numbers for a reason I haven't figured out yet, but I will.  I put a kit for a ZX on my 2.4, didn't compare the parts and threw them away before installing the new one I got with a car I bought a few years ago.  Every time I turn the motor the shiny link moves to a different spot.  The first time I noticed I pulled the front cover and reinstalled the chain on the right sprocket dimples.  Today it has done the same thing.  I'll be buying one for a 2.4. tomorrow.  I'll read up and find the height differences between the block and the head.  This sucks but lesson learned!