Timming Chain broke.

Well, I put a new head on my 94 2.3, and it ran great. My wife was driving it for 2 days, and the timming chain broke. I do not know if it was a tensioner problem or what but it is done. It is a single overhead cam, and I need to know if I should just pull the head back off to check the valves, or if I should take a chance and put new chain and tensioner kits in, and check cylinder compression. I have heard that if you throw a chain on a DOHC it will bend the valves, but have not heard this for a SOHC?

If I were you, I'd probly pull the head off just to make sure.
I know its a PITA, but even with the Sohc you can still hit the valves with the chain breaking.
It would be even more of a pita to fix the chain only to find you need to take it all apart again, for a third time.

Ya that is probably how I will do it, I was just hoping for a better option. I am getting good at tearing this motor down anyway. But it gets costly, on gaskets and head bults.

If the cost is getting to be such a big deal spend some time and put on the timing chain (maybe 1 hrs time), then run a compression test on all 4 cylinders, if they aren't the same tear it apart, if they are i'd say you probably got lucky, just my :2cents: , your time is free to you, its a 2 hr gamble (1 putting on the timing chain & 1 taking it back off)

Sometimes you do get lucky, and the valves are straight(ok).
I've tore down a few and its been about 50/50. What gmack221 said might not be a bad idea, puting the chain on and checking compression.

Good Luck Dobbskel!

That is what I was wanting to try first, do to the fact that it is a quick test. You are very correct, about my time, Its just my wife that I fear. I have already got about 600 in the car, and my wife is a redhead. I am not sure which one will win. But she does like the car better then her 99 cutlass, that she wants to trade off for a new Volvo.

Well folks, it did not break the chain. The Cam Bolt backed out, and the pulley fell off. I must have not got it torked good last time, my bad. Well it is going to cost me 3 valves and a head gasket, hope that is it. Only about 40 dollars this time, but lots of work again. I will let you know how it goes this week.

Motor now runs great, better than ever. new plug boots helped a lot, But please look at my other new post for my new problem.