I recently bought a 1994 pickup off CL with 175k miles and am currently in the middle of replacing the head gasket. Actually needed a new head because there was so much pitting that the coolant had actually blown through the head wall into the #3 cylinder and overheated from there. Never even showed up on the temp guage. Blerg!

Anyhow, I know that TC replacement has been beaten like a dead horse on this forum but I upon inspecting the guides, chain, and cover, things look brand new. Not a scuff on the guides or any wear. Is there any good way to tell if a TC job was done recently? Can't get ahold of the previous owner to ask. Looks like there is some type of grey sealant that has been used on the bottom end of the cover?
Does this look rather new??
Thanks!

 

No real way to tell if it was done recently.

If your guides look fine and you don't have the t-chain rattle, you're good. The rattle will tell you your tensioner is bad and that's the cause of failure on these chains.

That said, if you're already that far into the engine I would just buy a kit from engnbldr (with the steel guide) and replace it. It's easy, and then you know for sure. His kit with new cover, oil and water pumps is goo insurance for a truck that old.