If the timing chain broke or skipped a tooth or 2 , then slightly bent valves are the most likely issue.

 

How many miles on this SS ? Original timing chain ?

 

Anybody’s guess he stated he just bought the SS in later September 200 miles or so before this happened.

I look at this as an opportunity to change the head gasket, new valves, switch to ARP head studs, install new water pump and timing chain, balance shaft chain, make sure the original crankshaft sprockets are reinstalled, they are different then the 2.2 or 2.4 . And of course ensure the pistons are not damaged and cleaned up.
Cloyes offers kits that do not include sprockets so you aren’t wasting money on spare parts

9-4201 SX timing chain kit
9-4202 SX balance shaft chain kit
I strongly recommend installing the replacement front guide from ZZP
https://zzperformance.com/products/z...ng-chain-guide
And front guide upper bolt
https://zzperformance.com/products/e...ain-guide-bolt

Enjoy the SS a few more years

 

Yes, new purchase. I’m guessing the chain has never been replaced. It has 193000ish. The chain was going to be one of the first things to do.

 

And you can still do it, just have to add on the head gasket and replace the bent valves, at least you won’t have coked valves to worry about.

 

All cylinders low psi= timing jumped. If it broke some would have compression.
A shop wary of liability issues would look at the chain before cranking an engine with this symptom. If you have bent valves blame them.

 

As Blue said I’m looking at this as an opportunity to get the upper fresh. I’m hoping the pistons are okay. I’ll be tearing it down this week to see what’s up.

 

Why tear down? Get a scope, look in the spark plug holes. They make cheap ones that hook into cell phones. I would start by using my eyeballs on the chain, any slack between the sprockets is bad.

 

Sorry. Yes I plan on taking it slow. Chain etc. will definitely be changed then I’ll see from there.

 

Short update. I have only been able to work on it in short bursts. I took the cover off and the chain is very tight, no slack at all. The valves don’t feel or appear loose. Next step is to hand crank it around to see if any teeth are damaged. So far things look to be intact.