Symptoms
Rattle or slap from the timing cover at start-up, broken guide pieces in the oil pan, or simply no record that it's ever been done.
The fix, step by step
- Drain coolant, remove the fan, radiator and accessories, then the timing cover.
- Fit the new guides positioned toward the outside of the block without tightening, install the crank gear, then the cam gear and chain with the bright link on top.
- Tighten the straight guide to 9 ft-lb, install the tensioner (also 9 ft-lb), position the curved guide toward the outside so the tensioner is mostly retracted, torque everything and refit the cam gear (per LC Engineering's instructions).
- Reassemble with a new cover gasket set.
Tools & part numbers
- Metric sockets
- torque wrench
- gasket scraper
- LCE metal-backed guides (single row, 1985–95)
- timing chain
- tensioner
- timing cover gasket set
Where to buy the parts
22R/22R-E metal-backed timing chain guides (1985–95)LC Engineering ↗Amazon ↗
22R/22R-E timing chain tensioner (1983–95)LC Engineering ↗Amazon ↗
22R/22R-E single-row timing chain (1985–95)LC Engineering ↗Amazon ↗
22R/22R-E timing cover gasket set (1985–95)LC Engineering ↗Amazon ↗
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Rated for a competent home mechanic with a decent tool kit. Confirm torque figures, fluids and procedures against the factory service manual for your VIN, support the truck on stands rather than a jack, and work at your own risk (disclaimer). Some parts links are affiliate links, which pay us a small commission at no cost to you.