Timing chain replacement

[AlFos@domain.elided]

Hi all,
Just a quick report on my timing chain replacement.
The engine has been a bit 'rattly' since I bought the car 18 months and 14 000
miles ago.  Despite taking the car to be 'listened to' at Abinger Hammer, Peak
Performance and HRS at various times no-one diagnosed the chains as being
dodgy.  10 months ago (and 7 000 miles) HRS replaced the heads with unleaded
(I was going to Germany for 5 months) and said the chains were OK as far as
could be told.
Perhaps the noise got worse over the time without me noticing but seemed to be
better some weeks and worse others.  Last month I took the car to HRS for a
tune up and - though no definite diagnosis was possible - was told that the
chains were probably the source of the noise and it would be a good idea to
change them.

HRS supplied all the parts, including the excellent timing chain video, on a
use or return basis at a cost of �180.  Over the Christmas period it took
myself and a friend one and a half easy days work to do the job, replacing
fasteners, cleaning and painting components as we went.  We had a roomy, warm
workshop and are both competent with a set of spanners but not at all familiar
with the Stag engine.  The job was in fact easier than I thought.

What we found was both chains looking stretched, one roller breaking up which
was chewing up the tensioner.  The engine still has a few rattles but is much,
much, quieter and I have more peace of mind.

So - what lessons would I like to stress?  Firstly, though many people say how
easy it is to tell when the cam chains are on the way out I consulted several
experts, some of whom worked on the engine, and didn't ever get a positive
steer on whether the job needed doing.  I listen hard to my engine but there
are a lot of little rattles in there!  Secondly, the job did need doing and it
was not that difficult.  Better safe than sorry perhaps.  Two average blokes
in dry conditions could easily do the job in a weekend - no specialist tools
needed.  Thirdly, the timing video is excellent.

Hope this helps someone.  Al Forster.