Hi,

History:
Bought an '88 with 230k on the truck, PO said ~150k on the motor. Ran fine.

Then check engine light, shows TPS failure, I replace that but have trouble dialing it in to make the light go off. Can't set it right. Told to set the ignition timing, I try to do that but find it's way off. I'm in a hurry, so take the truck to the shop.

Shop looks, says the timing chain must have stretched (he says probably because of using nonToyota oil filter) and jumped a tooth, because it's off a tooth. Says I was lucky it didn't snap and tear up the valves etc. So he recommends a new timing chain kit.

I'm in a hurry and don't know much about timing chains, so I tell him to go ahead. *&#$ expensive. Now I have someone tell me that these chains don't ever jump a tooth, if they stretch that much, they just break.

Anyone ever know of these chains stretching and jumping a tooth? Or was my timing put together wrong at some point and the chain was fine? I brought this up at the shop and the tech asked the mechanic whether the guides were broken. They were not.

Please any commments appreciated. Feel like I got hosed for the price of a new kit ($270).

Thanks,
Bryan