solution ... maybe....???

[rivetapproved240]

i have had that sound... the death rattle.... i assumed like most that it was my timing chain... since i heard it from above, not midway or below ( automotive stethiscope.) i concluded it was the upper chain. anyways i remove my valve cover and i have heard that the metal chain guide can be a source of that marbles in a fish bowl sound. I take it off and check it out. It does seem to have some very very slight rubbings but deffinatly enough to tell. when i cleaned all the oil off of it i saw that the back of the chain guide had been rubbed a little deeper... not much though... the chain looks fine... slack is not an issue it is pretty taunt. Now my question is this, should i put it all back together and chance it or go ahead and replace the timing chain. i could spare to save the cash and return the chain since it is a no wear item. if i do replace the chain however, how do i get my car to tdc, i tried turning the major pully and this is a pain in the A**. Its the second notch correct? also down the middle (between cams) there is this kinda burnt stuff ontop of my head..... should i remove it or leave it... its pretty stuck so i dont want to loosen it and not be able to get it all out.. i have searched for these answers but the new format has got me all searched out with the wrong results.

[ca18det_boy]

I would go ahead and replace it while your in there. If you could take some pics of the other things and the old guide that would also help. The only other thing I could say would be which motor are you working on and are you planning on doing a swap soon. If you have the SOHC then just replace it. However if you have the DOHC that kit is a little more pricey. You'd be looking at $100 for the SOHC and I want to say around $250 for the DOHC. But anywho, take some pics and lets see what you see!