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The Timing Chain drives the Camshaft.

Also see: 
* Timing Cover
* Crankshaft Pulley

1 Overview
2 Checking For Wear
3 Replacement
- 3.1 Alignment
- 3.2 Slinger
4 Part Numbers
5 Adjustable Cam Gear
6 Gear Drive

Overview

We have seen a couple of single link timing chains on A12, which is the original A10 single row chain. Insist on the factory specified double-chain, like Nissan did for later A10s.

NOT GOOD - early A10 single-row chain

NOTE: A rattle can be the trait of a stretched timing chain. Pinging/pinking has also often been mistaken for timing chain rattle

A-series engine has a short timing chain -- and with an automatic adjuster -- it rarely stretches or goes bad.

Compare to the loooooong chaing used in the Nissan KA24E engine:
click

KA24 often has timing chain problems

super-strong Double-Roller chain is standard
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Checking For Wear

If tensioner spindle projection is more than 15mm, replace chain. Rotate the engine clockwise a bit, then check the distance.

Album 24796

This ones looks to be at the limit:

Replacement

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Alignment

Check the cam gear alignment. It should be exactly like this:
Upload click to view

If it is not lined up, see Camshaft_replacement#Timing.

Do not attempt to match up the bright/marked links on the chain. That only works the first time, as soon as you rotate the engine the links will no longer match (even though it is still in time)

Timing here is one tooth off (notice the key on bottom pulley)

Album 697 Album 7339

Album 3639 Album 3640

Slinger

Don't forget the oil slinger.

12302-18000 THROWER-OIL CRANKSHAFT

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Part Numbers

Kit

The timing chain kit (timing set) includes: Cam, Crank, Chain, Tensioner

KIT SET
CLOYES Part # 94054S RockAuto.com $35.79

CLEVITE/PERFECT CIRCLE Part # 92602
ITM 05390500 RockAuto.com $32

STC SHIMIZU
Timing Kit NIS-A14 (includes sprockets)
Timing Chain Kit CK-NIS-A14 (no sprockets)
Album 14366

Cam Sprocket

38 tooth Cam Gear (timing gear)
* Sealed Power 223478 $3.50
* ITM 50022 $4.67
* ITM 50021 $4.67
* CLOYES Part # S47 RockAuto.com $9.41
  
* Beck/Arnley 0250282 $10.85

Cam Sprocket Bolt

Special bolt 13082

full

Chain

Same as SRL311 with U20 engine (for Jackshaft)

CHAIN RockAuto.com
* CLOYES Part # S478 $9.40
* CLOYES 94054 $9.70
  
* BECK/ARNLEY Part # 0240226

* ITM 2354 $7

specs
Links: 54
Pitch: 3/8 inch
Rollers: Double
Timing Marks: 2

Crank Gear Key

Same key is used for the engine crankshaft pulley. See Crank Pulley Parts.

Tensioner

* CLOYES Part # 95005 RockAuto.com $3.90
 
* ITM 60004 $6.37

Early non-return tensioner (A10 engine)
* 13070-18010 ASS'Y-TENSIONER, non-return B10 [double-chain]

Early A12 engines (to April 1970) also used a tensioner on the Tension side of the chain. Apparently this was deemed unnecessary so was omitted starting May 1970.

13083-18001 TENSIONER-CHAIN TENSION SIDE -0470
13084-18000 SUPPORT-TENSIONER TENSION SIDE -0470
08110-62010 BOLT M6 FIXING TENSIONER -0470
 full

Crank Sprocket

19 tooth Crankshaft Gear (Timing Crank Sprocket, Timing Crank Gear)
RockAuto.com
* CLOYES Part # S477 $8.87
  
* Sealed Power 223477 $6.17
* Beck/Arnley 0250258 $7.36

USA

B110 RAW LIST
VALVETRAIN
13024-H8500 SPROCKET-CAMSHAFT
13024-18001 SPROCKET-CAMSHAFT
13082-18000 BOLT-CAMSHAFT SPROCKET
13030-18000 WASHER-CAMSHAFT
08915-2401A WASHER-LOCK
08915-14010 WASHER-LOCK
13028-18001 CHAIN-CAMSHAFT
13070-18001 ASSY-TENSIONER CHAIN
08120-63510 BOLT-FIXING CHAIN TENSIONER
08915-13610 WASHER-LOCK FIXING CHAIN TENSIONER
PISTON, CRANKSHAFT & CONNECTING ROD
13021-H1000 SPROCKET-CRANK A12
12316-30000 KEY-WOODRUF 5X16 2 A12

Adjustable Cam Gear

Fitting an adjustable Camshaft gear lets you fine tune the timing. The cam vendor's recommendations are usually best, but retarding the cam a degree or two will generall shift the torque curve higher up in the RPM range. Advancing the cam will (usually) lower the power curve a few RPM.