Correct timing is crucial to your car's performance. The timing chain coordinates the proper rhythm between the crankshaft and the camshaft ensuring that the engine runs smoothly. Adjusting the timing chain requires some knowledge of how an engine works and the correct tools. Since the Datsun 510 is an older model car, it has a timing chain rather than a belt, which makes it slightly harder to adjust as well.
Disconnect the battery leads.
Drain the oil.
Drain the coolant and remove the radiator with upper and lower hoses.
Remove the alternator and alternator belt, distributor, oil pump with the drive spindle, cooling fan and the fan pulley with the drive belt, water pump, crankshaft pulley and the front cylinder cover.
Turn the crankshaft until the number one piston is at Tap Dead Center (TDC) on the compression stroke.
Determine whether the camshaft sprocket location notch is left of the oval groove on the retaining plate. If so, then the chain needs to be adjusted.
Remove the camshaft sprocket and the chain, then put it back on in the number two position marked on the sprocket. The mark on the chain has to be aligned with the mark on the sprocket.
Redo step 1 to see if the notch in the sprocket is to the right of the groove in the retaining plate. If it is not, redo step 3, except put the sprocket and chain back on in the number three position. If the notch on the sprocket is still not to the right of the groove in the plate, then the chain has been stretched beyond repair and needs to be replaced.
