Timing chain removal issue

[rwmastel]

Well, I was hand turning the engine over by hand to remove the chain and I just couldn't handle keeping tension on the chain ends at the same time.  Things slipped and now if I loop the ends over the cam sprocket there is a couple teeth gap between ends of the chain.  I can't rotate the engine, the chain is either folded down in there, or the cam & crank are out of time and a piston is snug against a valve.  Can I take the oil pan off and drop the chain through?

[ja17]

If your trying to get the head off, don't worry about the chain. Just continue removing the head. The chain will pull through the head as it is removed.

[gordon]

Hi, I had a similar issue when reassembling my 230 sl in that I was one tooth short in length on the cam sprocket. I took the sump off and I found that although the chain was around the crank it was slack on the underside but engaged on the sides. There is very little clearance between the underside of the crank sprocket so  I could imagine loose chain snagging there when the crank is turned

I hope that this helps, Gordon W

[Cees Klumper]

In case you would not be looking to remove the head, what I would do is first use a tie wrap to affix the chain to the sprocket, then with my right hand pull upwards on the loose end of the chain (the end of the side that slipped down) while trying to turn the engine counter clockwise; chances are that will free the chain down in the block and would allow you to reconnect the chain ends without affecting the engine timing and get you back to the point before things went sideways. If that all makes sense.