Replacing the Timing Chain Guide on a 22RE Engine
 

This is how I replaced the driver's side timing chain guide on a 22RE engine without removing the timing chain cover. It is not as hard as you think. Please keep in mind that the description below is based on my own experience only and is not intended to be used as professional advise.

This is what I used:

• driver's side metal guide from Yotashop
  
• two hex bolts (for the guides)
  
• extra long 12mm ratchet wrench
  
• two extra long screwdrivers or wires (or anything long, narrow and rigid)
  
• ratchet set
  
• torque wrench
  
• impact wrench or breaker bar (to remove the cam bolt)
  
• three feet of 10 lb test fishing line (one for each bolt)
  
• three feet of string (to install the guide)
  

This is how I did it:

Removal

• Disconnected the negative battery cable.
  
• Rotated the crankshaft and set it to top dead center
  
• Removed the valve cover and cam gear sprocket using an impact wrench (removed the radiator).
  
• Unloosened the two bolts holding the guide half-way using the 12mm wrench.
  
• Made a loop knot on the end of the fishing line and secured onto the bolts (like a noose).
  
• Continued to remove the bolts until it fell out.
  
• Used the fishing line to fetch the bolts out of the compartment.
  
• Removed the remnants of the broken plastic guide.
  
• Cleaned the bolt holes and surrounding area with solvent.
  

Installation

• Ran the string through the bottom hole of the guide and tied the two ends of the string together.
  
• Dropped the guide into position, aligning the guide holes to the bolt holes.
  
• Secured the guide by tying the string onto surrounding engine parts.
  
• Tied the fishing line onto one of the new bolts and lower the bolt into position over the top hole.
  
• Pushed the bolt into the hole using one of the long screwdrivers.
  
• Used the other screwdriver to rotate the bolt into the hole until it was approximately a quarter of an inch into the hole. I found it useful to drill a small, shallow hole on the top of the bottom bolt and use an “L” shaped wire to guide the bolt into the bottom hole.
  
• Unloosened the knot on the string and pulled one of the ends out to remove the string from the guide.
  
• Installed the bottom bolt the same way as the top bolt.
  
• Removed the fishing line from the bolts by pulled the line until it broke off of the bolts.
  
• Dabbed a drop of thread locker onto the grooves of both bolts using a long wire.
  
• Tightened both of the bolts down to secure the guide onto the block using the 12 mm wrench.
  
• Replaced the cam sprocket and tightened the cam bolt to specification, making sure that the distributor rotor was at the number one cylinder at top dead center.
  
• Dribbled some engine oil onto the timing chain gear, new guide, distributor gear and entire valve assembly before reinstalling the valve cover.
  
• That’s it!
  

Finally, the bolts that come with the new metal guide from Yotashop may include Allen bolts instead of hex bolts. I purchased a pair of new hex bolts to replace the Allen bolts. Good luck!

Did you replace the tensioner when you replaced the guide? They're usually done as a set, along with the chain. So two guides and a chain are replaced all together. I am no professional mechanic by any stretch, but that's my understanding. I may well be wrong though.

Just being curious. Other than the above, good write-up.
Pat☺

Very likely that a stretched timing chain broke the guide, and your Houdini guide job won't last long. Ingenoius though.

I only replaced the driver's side guide. To replace the tensioner, timing chain or passenger side guide, you would have to remove the timing chain cover.

I really like the creativity behind doing it this way, but I'm going to have to agree that the chain, both guides, and the tensioner should be replaced at the same time. Otherwise cool write up.