SICK of my 240! F*kin rattle .. need help

[JNM240]

Powerzen2002, hopefully whoever did your timing chain job the first time got the whole kit, which would include the chain, tensioner, updated guide, tension side guide, cam sprocket and crank sprocket. I got this kit from Autozone for $89 and used all of it except the cam sprocket (i have a Nismo adjustable one). Therefore, i doubt one side was replaced and the other is now going out, they should both be brand new. If you like i can send u a scan of the procedure from the '90 FSM so you will have an idea of what to look for. I would post it here but i dont know how to post pics.

The cold might have something to do with it, as might your type of oil. The tensioner is spring loaded to push on the left guide, so it doesnt need to be warmed up. Your oil, however, may need to be, depending on how cold it is. As for not tightening bolts, the tensioner itself is held on by 2 bolts but they dont require a certain torque (like head bolts or connecting rods bolts) in order for it to work. Then the tensioner guide is held on by 1 bolt that, even when tight, allows the tension guide to pivot so tension can be put on the chain. Then the guide rail has 2 bolts on it, and again, as long as they are tight, should be fine. The critical two bolts to worry about are the camshaft sprocket bolt and the crankshaft sprocket bolt. But you would have much more serious problems if either of those came off. But you can always check. The camshaft sprocket is i believe an 11/16" bolt and can be reached with the valve pan cover off. The crankshaft sprocket is, if i remember correctly, 1 1/16" (or 1 3/16"..? i cant remember exactly) and you can easily get to it at your crank pulley.

Another idea is, because it is so cold, your oil pressure needs to build up a little to get oil to your rocker arms. Rocker arm tapping sounds a lot like chain rattling to me. Your rocker arms are hydraulic so they require oil and oil pressure to work. But during the first few minutes of start up, esp in sub freezing weather, the oil pressure needs to build up. These few minutes of tapping are not going to harm your motor at all.

I am one of those strange few that love the SOHC. Its easy to work on, and with some modifications and work, you can extract a tasteful ammount of power from them and keep their bulletproof reliability. Hope some of this helps you!