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I've wanted a luv since I was 12, now I'm 28 and finally scored one. Dropped my income tax into lots of misc parts for it and got about 1000 miles out of it. Now the timing tensioner broke and would rather switch engines than deal with attempting a repair. I really don't want to pull the head. Anyway to do timing chain and leave the head on? My factory manual says head has to be removed
I am located in kent wa and looking for a awesome deal on a running motor. Thanks

I think it would be possible to to the timing chain without pulling the head, if you are very careful. There is a possibility of a water leak at the front of the head though as the head gasket seals to the timing cover. The biggest problem is getting the timing cover off without pulling the motor. You pretty much have to pull the oil pan, which generally means you need to pull the motor out of the truck.

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95 Isuzu Trooper Daily Driver
86 Isuzu Trooper reliable backup
77 LUV 2wd stock beltway blaster (resting)
79 4x4 LUV project: 2.6L, 5spd, 31s (eventually)

MEPR: Man, my 4x4 makes all other LUVs look good

So it would be easier to yank the whole motor then even mess with repair in vehicle? If that's the case I'd rather change the motor and repair this one later lol

Yeah, that is pretty much what I'm saying. The timing cover has the oil pump attached, which has the sump and pickup tube attached, which goes clear into the oil pan. In a 2WD I think it is possible to get the pan off without completely pulling the motor, but it would certainly be 100x easier if it was out and on an engine stand.

Good luck with your motor search. You can also look at the slightly larger displacement G200 motor from Isuzus up to about 85, also a bolt in replacement.

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95 Isuzu Trooper Daily Driver
86 Isuzu Trooper reliable backup
77 LUV 2wd stock beltway blaster (resting)
79 4x4 LUV project: 2.6L, 5spd, 31s (eventually)

MEPR: Man, my 4x4 makes all other LUVs look good

Thanks for the info! I did find a motor but decided just more cost effective to repair mine. After all the work I should have a pretty nice lil powerplant. At least with my engine I know what I got and not just putting in more problems..... I found a pic on here of timing set up and it doesn't look to bad. Really gonna need some help with where the timing marks need to be so I'm not 180 out and it's all correct.

If you have the factory service manual then getting the timing set again is documented pretty well in there. The only confusing thing is that I believe if you follow the instructions to the letter it times everything to where cylinder #4 is firing, not #1.

There is also a thread or two on here that documents the process. Take a look at timing marks 1.8L stock for some good info and pics (tho mostly from the book you have)

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95 Isuzu Trooper Daily Driver
86 Isuzu Trooper reliable backup
77 LUV 2wd stock beltway blaster (resting)
79 4x4 LUV project: 2.6L, 5spd, 31s (eventually)

MEPR: Man, my 4x4 makes all other LUVs look good

Please please help!! I got it apart with the head on it with engine on truck, so pleaser explain to me here about the timing marks. As long as cam is on marks and crank is on marks then u line up marks on chain the same and set tensioner and that's it?,I did that and rotate the engine around a few times and the marks never line back up!! I'm so confused

The marked chain links won't line up again, but the crank and cam marks should line up with the marks on the the motor. Get it lined up and tight on on the non-tensioner side of the chain, then as you turn it over the cam to head marks should line up when the crank to block marks line up. Ignore the marked or colored links on the chain after you've turned the motor over.

I think the real trick is getting that oil pump gear lined up as you install it. I've never had to do one, but I bet it turns as you install so you have to line it up off by the amount it will turn. As I recall it though the factory service manual and the hanyes repair manual spell it out pretty well.

_________________
95 Isuzu Trooper Daily Driver
86 Isuzu Trooper reliable backup
77 LUV 2wd stock beltway blaster (resting)
79 4x4 LUV project: 2.6L, 5spd, 31s (eventually)

MEPR: Man, my 4x4 makes all other LUVs look good

Ok I feel I have it all tight and marks 100% correct, as I turn it over It should always line up with timing marks but not chain links....correct? That's what I get outta your reply. Oil pumps gonna be tricky but I think I have it figured out, I will just set it and make sure distributor points to #1 or 4 depending on which valves are closed. Then I should be golden.

Yeah, the chain links are for the initial set up. I made this mistake long ago on my 79 when I first bought it. It ran so poorly I suspected the timing chain was off a tooth or two. By dumb luck the colored link was just one tooth off the right spot on the cam, so I thought "Eureka!" and moved it a tooth. It ran MUCH MUCH worse, and then I realized that I could see the marks on the cam and crank were no longer lining up. Turned out I had a carb problem.

_________________
95 Isuzu Trooper Daily Driver
86 Isuzu Trooper reliable backup
77 LUV 2wd stock beltway blaster (resting)
79 4x4 LUV project: 2.6L, 5spd, 31s (eventually)

MEPR: Man, my 4x4 makes all other LUVs look good

Eureka!!! I got it!!! Job complete!!! New timing chain with no head removal with engine in truck. 79 Luv 2wd 1.8

Thanks for all your very helpful info. I have Haynes and factory manual and luv truck made it all possible. I was over thinking everything and just wanted to make sure I did it right. I love my luv!!! Just got one after 16 years of wanting one and only had this truck a month and replaced a lot of stuff then this timing issue. Now it's handled and runs way better then it ever did.

One hiccup was the old timing chain wore a huge groove into aluminum front cover and wore into water pump tube for lower hose. Therefore leaking water into oil. It was a small hole and I welded it back up with aluminum and restored it to like new. Thank god I work in an industrial machine shop lol

Thanks again. Chris

Nice! Good to hear it went smoothly for you. You will want to keep an eye on the very front of the head where that water connection is. The head gasket is supposed to seal between the head and the timing cover, so if you are going to have any leaks it will be there. That is about the only worry I'd have from doing the timing cover without pulling the head. As long as the gasket was fairly intact it should be ok though.

If you're willing to dive in this much into the truck for repairs I'm betting it will only get better from here.

_________________
95 Isuzu Trooper Daily Driver
86 Isuzu Trooper reliable backup
77 LUV 2wd stock beltway blaster (resting)
79 4x4 LUV project: 2.6L, 5spd, 31s (eventually)

MEPR: Man, my 4x4 makes all other LUVs look good