Heres what might have happened in 1999 the twin cam engines they narrowed the heads bringing the cam gears on the head closer together.In doing so they also elimnated the top guide above the cam gear in 1999.You have a 1998 so that is the wider head.Count the links on the chain how many links?

Answered by saturntech9 (expert)
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saturntech9 Interesting info about 99 head.I got mine from Odessa cylinder head on ebay. I gave them casting number and other info from my old one. I feel pretty confident that this rebuilt is a 98 or older. The timing chain has 126 links, I gave it another try today. I had a helper hold the 7/8 wrench on the flats of the cam and applied pressure with the alignment pin inserted. This gave me enough slack to get bolts into tensioner and torque them. I was able to release tensioner by removing plastic insert to free it. I then removed alignment pins and turned the crank 360 degrees . It went real smooth. I then rechecked both alignment holes and the pins went right in . The chain is now snug but the black links dont line up now. Is this normal or is there anything else I should check ? Thanks, Tony

Response from tharrison
1 question asked

After you make atleast one turn around the colored links wont line up untill.some many more turns around dont know the magic number but that would be normal.Also 126 links would be the correct number of links.Glad to hear you got it installed and figured out.I just installed a saturn remanufactured short block in my 1999 saturn SL2 had my head completly rebuilt and installed a pci timing set.I like the pci kit but dont like the fact they only counter sink one side of the hole on the tenisor guide so it wont move freely without tapering the other side of the hole.But for the price you cant beat the timing set.

Answered by saturntech9 (expert)
23,394 answers provided