Have to pull the motor to replace Timing Chain on 91' B2600i 4x4 ?

[jduck1]

Do you have to pull the motor to replace the timing chain on a 91' B2600i 4x4? A couple years ago I had to drop a motor in the truck after 190,000 miles. I bought an ATARCO used Japan motor and just swaped it out. 8,000 miles later (I live a mile from work so it took that long to get 8,000 miles ) the head gasket blows on the replacement motor. I pulled the head and found all the bolts holding it down were not torqued and could easily be removed with light pressure. The machine shop said I would need a new head and cam (cam because the bolts were lose and warped it). I opted to surf Ebay and found a company in TX that sells completly rebuilt heads for $350.00 and bought a head gasket kit for another $50. Getting it all apart was easy but rather than mess something up I took it into a shop so they could set the timing and drop the new head on. Phone call says the marks on the timing chain are gone and I will need a new one. No problem as they are $30 at NAPA. Only catch is the book says you need to pull the engine to do so and that is an 8hr job @ $82 hr shop time. Total to do it all is almost $1500. Has anyone ever replaced the timing chain? If so do you need to pull the motor?
Thanks in advance from a newbie!
Jeff
jduck1

[Mazdarati]

I don't have the answer you need, sorry, but I have a similar problem. Can you give the info on the place in TX you got the head and head gasket. Thanks.

[danvhp]

You don't have to pull the motor to replace the timing chain, but you will have to tear it down pretty far to do it. I just finished doing this and its about a draw as to which way is better. Good luck!