i'm thinking about putting in a cam next summer, that is if we can melt some of the 3' of partly cloudy out there. my question is this: i'll have around 60K on it, is that too early to also throw in a new chain and guides, assuming normal wear at this point?

 

1 vote for new timing chain while you're in there

 

i'd put it in so you dont have to think about the replacing the head gasket/bolts again for awhile

 

Where in colorado are you? i wouldnt mind helping you if you were close. i did mine at 188000 miles, so if your not up to it dont do it, it is long and kinda hard work.

 

i'm up in ft.collins. it's not a problem, wrench all the time. thanks for your offer. i'll probably just do it with the new stick, was asking to see if i was overlooking the obvious.

 

i just had to put new timing chain in 94 with only 64k the guide broke so never too early

 

go for it

get a kit with a steel guide so you wont have to worry about it for a while

 

I had to do one at 10k on a remanned motor after the cheapo aftermarket plastic drivers side rail came apart and threw the time...

Definitely do it while you have the head off and as mentioned, do it with a drivers side steel rail like the one engnbldr sells.

 

If you don't have steel guides in there then I would at least look at the plastic ones and see if they are still in one piece. If you have steel guildes I would leave it. It is a chain remember not a belt. The chain can take a lot as long as it is not running through your timming cover!

 

just replaced the the chain on my 94, the plastic guide was all over the oil pan,there was only only peices left, got steel one from engbldr, fix it all while your in there

 

i thought i'd see what package he had to do it all. like to see him put the timing kit together with the 268C.

 

Replace the headgaskets and bolts? I didn't think you had to touch the head when you replaced the timing chain. Unless, there's a major difference on an '86 22re and a '94 22re. I didn't have to on mine. I got about 120 mi. outta my original timing chain before the guides started going.

 

true, but i have to replace the gasket and bolts when i put in the new cam, which is why i'm going in to begin with.

 

Cheap insurance, go to the metal backed rail as well. Good excuse to change the water pump and gears in the oil pump while your there. I ended up pulling the head on my truck anyway to change the head gasket a couple of weeks after I did the chain, because I wasn't as careful as I should have been and damaged it causing a internal oil leak.

 

Yeah, I knew that. But, if you decide to let the timing chain be when you put in the cam you won't have to disturb the HG and bolts again come time to replace it. It just seemed like MMA_Alex was suggesting you would. That's all.

 

that's right, i could leave it for another day and not worry about a new HG at that time.

trumpfan: steel rails are the only way to go. i'll look at the hardened gears as well. small price to pay for added insurance and peace of mind.

thanks to all for the good advice.