Timing chain advice, one more time.

[sirdeuce]

When changing the timing chain...

Best way to do this task, since the head and oil pan are clamping down on the top and bottom of the timing cover, is to plan on replacing the head gasket and oil pan seal. If ya just pull the cover off and try to push it back into place it will never seal properly and piss oil everywhere.

Now, if you change the timing cover there may be a slight step from the top of the cover to the block deck. You'll have to have the cover machined to match the block deck. WHY? You may ask. That step will lift the head at the front and prevent a proper seal to #1 cylinder and be the cause to your pounding head after replacing the gasket 3 or 4 times. The gasket WILL fail prematurely. Actually best to use the old cover when possible. Something to count on when rebuilding any engine with such configuration.

Proper way to change a timing chain on a 20/22R/E is to pull the head and oil pan. Insure the deck is flat, timing cover and block, Upgrade to metal guides. It'll save you time and money in the long run.

[Gnarly4X]

I've done a timing chain 3 times.
Two of them I did not pull the head or the oil pan.
I had no leaks.

The last time was when I rebuilt the 22RE.
Identifying each bolt carefully and keeping track of exactly where each goes is critical.
As I remember I used Fel-Pro timing cover sealant.

Since pulling the head and dropping the oil pan is very time consuming and adds lots of cost to a t-chain R&R,
I would not do it unless the mileage on the head gasket was up around 80,000 miles.

So... I've been doing it wrong.  

Gnarls.

[sirdeuce]

I've had to fix just WAY too many. Always best to put in a few extra ergs of effort and funds to avoid issues.

As faar as mileage? If 80k miles is your determining factor on when to change a head gasket, most chains are recommended to be replaced after 100k+ miles.

[Gnarly4X]

Yeah... we all have experiences, some different.

80,000 to 90,000 for me would be around 5 years.

The summers here are hard on some engine parts.

If the chain guides need replacing and I've got around 5 years on the engine, I would do a compression check,
and probably go ahead and pull the head, inspect the rockers, have the head rebuilt, and replace all the gaskets (intake, head, exhaust).
While I'm that deep into it, I'd replace the front crank seal, I might even look at sticking in a new camshaft.

Decisions to do whatever depends on several factors.. time, money, need, time of year.

Cutting corners on an R&R can come back to bite you.

Gnarls.

[sirdeuce]

Five years to get 80-90 thousand miles?? Geesh! I'd put 50k on my commuter and anouther 20k on my "fun" car every year! Not to mention how many more miles I'd put on all my other vehicles. Guess that'll all change now that I don't work any more.

Cutting corners is sometimes necessary, yes, but in time it costs more to save money now. I always gave 3 levels of repair choices for the people I would work on their cars.
First, I can get you back on the road
Second, I can "fix" it
Third, I can do it right
When you're dealing with a single mother working 2 jobs the safest minimum is as far as she can go.

Still, a timing chain on a 22r, for me, requires the head and oil pan coming off. I will always make that suggestion.