This
is
how
I
replaced
my
timing
chain.
It
took
me
about
2
hours.
You
can
do
it
by
the
book
but
it
looks
like
a
good
8-10
hour
job,
not
to
mention,
a
little
more
hairy
(don't
like
the
idea
of
taking
out
the
3
front
headbolts
on
each
side).
You
will
not
be
able
to
change
your
bottom
rail
guides
this
way
but
they
are
always
immersed
in
oil.
Abe
over
at
MBMW
says
he
can't
remember
the
last
time
he
sold
bottom
rail
guides.
You
also
asked
about
replacing
the
tensioner.
Definitely
do
it.
My
valve
timing
was
a
good
9
degrees
off
before
I
replaced
the
chain.
After
the
new
chain,
it
was
still
4
degrees
off
but
the
new
tensioner
brought
it
right.
Since
you
have
your
valve
covers
off
it
would
also
be
a
good
time
to
clean
out
your
oil
pipes
above
your
camshafts.
The
rebuild
kit
only
cost
me
$6;
it's
only
the
plastic
holders.
Simply
pry
off
your
oil
pipe
with
a
screw
driver
(gently),
slide
off
the
plastic
pieces,
ream
out
your
pipe,
clean
it
up,
put
on
new
plastic
pieces,
and
reinstall.
If
any
of
your
cam
lobes
show
any
wear,
definitely
do
this
-
this
is
what
lubes
them;
if
not,
it's
just
good
preventive
maintenance.
Timing
Chain
Replacement:
Pull
off
your
air
filter
assembly,
cruise
control
actuator,
valve
covers,
spark
plugs
(this
will
make
it
easier
to
turn
the
crankshaft),
fan
and
fan
shroud.
Take
a
27mm
socket
with
a
5"
extension
and
turn
the
crankshaft
the
same
direction
the
engine
runs
(clockwise
as
you're
looking
at
it).
I
was
looking
for
a
master
link
but
mine
was
an
endless
chain
(I
had
to
grind
a
link
out).
Take
two
pair
of
vice
grips
to
the
passenger
side
camshaft
sprocket.
There
are
4
holes
in
the
camshaft,
top
teeth
of
vice
grips
goes
over
the
chain
and
bottom
teeth
goes
into
the
hole
(these
do
not
need
to
be
tight,
just
enough
to
lock).
Put
one
set
at
12
o'clock
and
one
at
9
o'clock.
Then
grind
out
one
of
the
links
(or
remove
the
master
link)
between
the
two
vice
grips
and
hook
the
new
chain
to
the
old
chain.
Turn
over
the
crankshaft
until
the
vice
grips
are
at
12
o'clock
and
3
o'clock.
Take
the
one
at
12
and
put
it
back
to
9
and
the
one
at
3
back
to
12.
Repeat
this
until
the
new
chain
is
all
in.
Take
the
old
chain
off
and
put
on
your
master
link.
Turn
the
crankshaft
and
check
your
timing
marks.
Take
a
probe
light
and
check
out
the
condition
of
your
guide
rails.
Abe
says
these
can
also
be
changed
without
removing
the
timing
cover
but
mine
were
good
so
I
didn't
have
to
mess
with
them.
The
tensioner
is
really
easy.
Take
a
pry
bar
and
put
it
underneath
the
guide
rail
to
support
it.
Take
off
two
bolts,
remove
old
one,
and
put
in
your
new
one.
One
further
note:
Make
sure
you
put
a
rag
over
the
hole
before
putting
on
your
master
link.
Those
C-clips
are
really
small
and
easy
to
drop.