Is the balance shaft kit the 9-4202S or 9-4202SX? I can't find a 9-4202SX.

On the Cloyes site they list both for the LNF. Look for some difference.

Nevermind, with or without gears.

 

Which way did you turn the camshafts? If you turned them counter clockwise, of course there will be slack.

 

Clockwise.

 

Timing chain kit 9-4201SA is the one for VVT engines includes the crank sprocket.
Balance shaft chain kit 9-4202SX doesn’t include the sprockets

 

Ok, then yeah, there's a problem.

 

Lol! Either way, gotta check.

 

It’s a known issue trying to rotate the crankshaft counter clockwise, that causes problems with the guides and tensioner.
just don’t drive it until you do the work .

 

Agreed. I shut it off running fine other than the rough idle and low vac. I am taking it apart now. It's ain't running until I am done. Once I get the front cover off I can rotate the crank to TDC and see just how far off it is. Parts are ordered. I found a used J-38122 balancer tool cheap. I know I can do the starter bump but it was cheap and makes the bolt torque + angle straight forward. I can always sell it when done but I usually hang on to special tools like that while I have the car.

 

For anyone looking to buy the improved upper guide bolt, the ZZP bolt is the Dorman 917-954. What's nice is that it can also be used where the bolt broke off in the head and can't be extracted. Thanks to Oldblue for mentioning it!

 

Got the chains (et al) installed. It was pretty straightforward. While none of the guides were broken, the exhaust cam alone appears to have been 2 teeth off from my count. I marked where the indicators were and counted linked once I had the new chain in. The tensioner appeared fine but it was hard to say if it was really enough. Once I fired it up, it went into a smooth idle, no loping plenty of vacuum. Not sure what happened but it's fixed.

Took it out for a test drive, ran great, came back and noticed my fan wasn't on with the temps are 210 and/or with the AC on. The Tech 2 says it's commanding the fan but it's not working. Powered the fan directly and it runs. Probably the control module but I want to test it.

So, anyone have the wiring diagram for the SS fan? The docs floating around that claim they are for the SS fan aren't -they are for the 2.2/2.4L fan(s).

Nevermind. Found it, it's the module. What timing ...

Thanks everyone for you input. And yes, the factory chains and guides are marked Cloyes. With the strike, getting GM parts was a no-go so I just went with the Cloyes labelled stuff. I also did my sway bar bushings. Let's not do that again. I could do it faster now that I know the trick to getting the old ones out ...