Just joined but I've read many of the threads so I'm pretty much convinced that I should get a timing chain replacement at 130K. Local "expert" (Franco at Prospect Foreign in West Htfd, CT) though says for $350, he'll pull the valve cover(s)? and can tell whether or not it needs to be done. Only $1000 to do the whole job so that seems like the way to go - insurance as the posts say. No noise on starting.

First has anyone had experience with Prospect Foreign for this level of work?

Another issue is oil pressure that drops to 2 atm at idle (bouncing) as soon as the engine is warmed up. Starts at 3+ and runs there under load. Intermittent skip at idle that I'm currently assigning to old plugs.

Can a 130K tensioner cause the oil pressure issue at idle or should we look at the oil system? What are the likely suspects? One of the posts talks about a pressure relief valve and an o-ring but I'm not clear on the symptoms that corrected. Is there anything else to be looking for while we've got the valve covers off?

Thanks in advance for your help.