Hey yall, I took the valve cover off my motor and found that the driver side chain guide is completly gone. I searched a little bit but couldnt find anything real decisive so what I was wanting yall's opinion on was whether to go with the plastic or metal guides and what the best brands would be and if I should just get a whole timing chain set and If it the parts store brands are alright? I dont mind spending a little extra if I know its worth it in the long run because I plan on keeping this truck as long as I can. Any advice will be appreciated.

 

LCEngineering provides good parts most of them from Japan especially for Toyotas. They sell timing chain kits OEM for the trucks and then ones with metal guides.

The metal gudies will last longer but i supose its all about preference and price...

Plastic gudies are "quieter" than the metal ones.

Plastic guides are less weight...

And plastic shavings are less harmful than the metal shavings...

Will not put extra wear on the chain itself..

With the metal guides:

Catastrophic failure is not nearly as likely with plastic...(As with your case where the gudie is "gone")

Stonger and support the chain better...

Extended service life...

More metal shavings >_<

Noise.. >_<

Extra wear on chain.. >_<

Like i said theres alot of mixed opinions on this site and its all about preference... and peace of mind so to speek...

I my self am on the 3rd timing chain in my truck...

#1 OEM Toyota drivers side guide failed completely at 190K and rubbed a hole in timing cover water jacket....
#2 Chain that was replaced with the OEM Toyota chain, Chain Tensioner failed at 220K.... (Autozone) Chain Kit.
#3 Chain in truck now from i hate to say it (Advance Auto Parts) 265K on the clock no problems... yet..

 

go with Engine Builder .

The metal guides are covered with plastic all the metal does is keep it from rubbing into the water jacket.

Some people pull the head others pull the pan I have had better luck pulling the head.

oil and coolant together is interesting to say the least.

I say sometime I am just going change the tensioner and guides but not the chain but I never do.:jessica:

 

thanks for the output guys. I got a chain set on the way from LCE and Im gonna pull the motor soon, gonna do some head work and check out everything else. Ive had this truck for 2 years and taking the valve cover off was the first time I been into the motor.

 

Its possible to rplace the chain without moving the head or pan...

The timing cover can be removed straight out from between the head and oil pan...

Only problem is getting the seals to line up and seal properly can take a few trys >_<

 

x2 u dont hafta pull the head, just make sure u unscrew the bolt hidden in a oil puddle in the front part of the head. i would pull the pan to retrieve the old guide tho. replacing that stuff really aint hard, its a yota!

 

I just think its a good time to go through the motor anyway and my valve seals are starting to leak and I need an oil pan gasket

 

yep,clean out the oil pan,get a head gasket kit from engnbldr.com.