Used metal chain guides?

[z1 zonly]

Okay, please don't murder me here--I've never even seen this subject come up and really don't know.

After checking out the timing chain update info and realizing it's going to come in at over $500 in parts, I'm kind of bummed about having to let go of that kind of money that I really didn't budget for this project (my fault, I know). Now, I know this is certainly not the proper way to go about it, but I have access to a '94 Q parts car that I could easily snatch the necessary components from. The question is--how bulletproof are the metal chain guides? At what mileages do they become increasingly susceptible to failure?

I can and will let go of the required funds to get the NOS parts if need be, but if you guys say I can get away with using these it will save me a big chunk of change.

Thanks in advance for any help.

[Q45tech]

If $500 in parts is a strain then what about the other $1200-$1500 in annual prorated parts costs that normal mainteance and repairs add up to.

Tires, brakes, fluids, wipers, cleaning products, soap, water, reserve for diff, transmission, driveshaft, shocks, suspension, etc.

I don't see why you cannot use used parts for chain guide replacement, but use brand new bolts, no need to change chain if it is not stretched.

The oil chain and gear we change is the oil chain and gear!

Prorated means you save $1500 [$125 per month $32 per week] and use that for parts purchases.........hopefully you will accumulate at least $500 EXTRA per year from day one [brand new car] so that every 10 years you have an extra $5,000 to attach the big things like transmission, diff, driveshaft, ac system, new radiator, etc..............then at 20 years you have enough to replace engine.

OR JUST use the accumulated as a down payment on a replacement.