A new timing chain has just been installed, what a job! Found out that the fan clutch is seized, and one of the blades has a crack. Ordered a replacement 9-bladed plastic fan and new clutch already.

I won't cover the basics on how to, there are more threads about that here in the archives/forum. However, I wanted to document the job for reference.

MB's chain is JWIS:


The timing chain tensioner spring has a portion that rubs against the tensioner housing. This one in mine was worn halfway through


It's also noticeably shorter than a new spring:


Those pins were tricky to remove! Took a while to get this one, as well as the lower pin, out from the block.


After all these miles and years (almost 30 years, 230k miles), there is a lot of material left on the rail, but the wear is noticeable:



Grinding off a link in the original chain:


Original chain disconnected:


New JWIS chain is nicely made and the links are significantly thicker than the original:


Out with the old, in with the new:


Crimping the new links together:


New master link in blue:


While we were at it, a valve adjustment was also done. Only 3 slightly tight valves. Not bad:


In case somebody tries to get the weird shaped gasket for the thermostat housing to engine, here's an image for reference:



Make sure you also get the water pump to pump housing gasket, that sucker was a royal PITA to remove. Apparently they used adhesive from the factory when they were new. I had to use a razor blade to remove the stuck adhesive from the water pump flange to get a good seal.



And while you're at it, CLEAN!







And do not forget to mark parts before removing! Otherwise they will not be in sync/alignment



More pics for reference.