My cam timing is off, and I was wondering what the best way to adjust the sprocket for the stretch would be?

here's a photo

there is a spring loaded adjuster that slides along side of the timing chain. If there is no more adjustment you need to replace the timing chain.

There is some provision for moving the cam sprocket to the number 2 position. What is the condition of the sprockets. Do they looked hooked at the bottom of the teeth?

well I decided to just replace the chain, it'll be here tuesday. I've got everything off and waiting for the chain now.

thanks for that photo, however I have one question about the cam, does it matter where the lobes are as long as it's at tdc compression stroke?

and with the distributor, how do you know that's position one? because when I'm at TDC, it's pointing to the 10-11oclock position(at least it was before I took off everything so if it was wrong, I'd like to fix it first).

also, I've heard of adjusting to 5 BTDC, what exactly are they talking about?

sadly, I have to wait until thursday for my new chain and tensioner to arrive. Sucks just looking at my engine all apart and not being able to drive her... I'll just be touching up other issues while I wait.

thanks for that photo, however I have one question about the cam, does it matter where the lobes are as long as it's at tdc compression stroke?

They will be up then

and with the distributor, how do you know that's position one? because when I'm at TDC, it's pointing to the 10-11oclock position(at least it was before I took off everything so if it was wrong, I'd like to fix it first).

When piston is at tdc the rotor should have passed #1 by the the advance amount.

also, I've heard of adjusting to 5 BTDC, what exactly are they talking about?

That means the spark fires 5 degees before the piston reaches tdc.... so when the piston gets to TDC,the rotor will have already sparked and rotated 5 degrees.

sadly, I have to wait until thursday for my new chain and tensioner to arrive. Sucks just looking at my engine all apart and not being able to drive her... I'll just be touching up other issues while I wait.

You will learn a lot from this job.

You will learn a lot from this job.

thanks for the help and tips.

and yeah, i've been learning a lot since I got my 280z in november last year. It's my first car, and it's the first car I've ever worked on. Been doing all the work myself, reading everything I can, getting help from forums(mostly this one), and so far, my car has been running better and better.

While I wait for my chain/tensioner to arrive, I'll be changing out all the old rubber hoses, checking up on my injectors to make sure they're all working properly, cleaning all my electrical contacts, and getting the parts ready for the new gaskets to be put on.

are there any ways to turn the crank while the front cover is off?

Put the crank pulley bolt back in and crank away

Put the crank pulley bolt back in and crank away

how can I make sure that I don't bend or break anything because the engine is still in the car, and the head is still connected and there is no timing chain on yet.

Don't turn the crank without the timing chain in place. The pistons will hit some of the valves.