Timing Chain question.

[ORICLE]

So I had to pull the head on my red top and I was curious if the timing chain can skip a tooth with the timing chain cover on and the tensioner off? IF so what do you guys recommend for pulling the front cover off. I read the FSM and it says to remove the oil pans. I didn't know if there was a easier way to do this with the motor in the car. To remove both oil pans how do I get past the cross member? Thanks.

[Neil]

As long as the cam gears didn't loose their place in the chain then it should be fine. By zip-tying the gears to the chain, I don't think there'd be enough remaining slack for the chain to slip off the crank sprocket if you tried. but I could be wrong.

To answer your other question, to get the front cover off you do need to drop the pans. To get around the cross member, you can undo the engine/transmission mounts and jack up the motor under the bellhousing by a few inches, but it's almost easier to just pull the motor. That'd give you a good excuse to replace main & rod bearings, too.