Timing chain and gears is actually pretty straightforward. Might just as well replace the water pump while you are at it, as it has to come off anyway, to get the the timing set.

Mine ran smoother, started better, had more power, better acceleration, and would even tell better jokes afterwards.

 

Not to mention it lowered your cholesterol.

 

timing chain is pretty easy to replace I just put a new one, 178k and the chain had quite a bit of slack, so im waiting to see if it made a difference

I would do a tuneup
cap/rotor/8mm wires/autolite 3923's
Plenum fix, theres a plate on ebay and then you can order the felpro gaskets and intake bolts
timing chain and water pump while your there
thermostat 180 degree
depending on condition of valve cover gaskets you might want to do those
pcv vavle
throttle body mod
underdrive pulley
SCT tuner from hemifever
this will make quite a difference in efficieny and should add a little pep to the truck and keep saving up for worthy mods

 

No such thing as a tuneup on these trucks.

The Autolite spark plugs are hit & miss. Some people's trucks do well with them, while others, like my truck, do not.

I'll be going back into my engine again, and this time I'm going to weld that aluminum plate to the intake and forever end any issues with a gasket going bad. That two-piece design is stupid.

Why? It'll either enrich the fuel mixture and/or throw a CEL. Contrary to popular misconception, it does not make the engine run cooler.

Worthwhile suggestions.

Why?

With everything you suggest, he'd be better off pulling the engine and performing a complete teardown.

 

for you guys who said replace the timing chain, did you put a double roller on? or one that is like the stock on?

 

180 degree thermostat because thats what is reccomended by hemifever(Never seen a 180 set a CEL only the 160) with his tunes, the colder spark plug will work better with the tune also.

Your taking off the underdrive to get to timing chain and for $40 bucks you can free up some hp and torque

And my truck dont like plugs unless they say autolite, never even liked the stock plugs

eh its only a days work if your quick or a weekend job if your slow like me

 

I went with a double roller as it is a better piece, and less prone to stretching.