SaberD

07 LSJ with 65k miles.

long story short the intake vavles got bent after bumping the starter for about a second. When switching to the new style tensioner, don't let anyone tell you to just remove the old one and pop the new one in. Removing the tensioner gives the chain enough slack to droop off the crank sprocket somewhat. You need to remove the valve cover and use a zip tie to keep tension on the chain BEFORE you remove the old tensioner, otherwise it will skip timing. You should also crank the engine over by hand afterwards. People who have had success without doing this were extremely lucky. I shouldn't have listened to a lot of the posts made here on this subject.

This is what I plan on replacing aside from valves and valve guides.

Here is what I know I will definitely replace:

head gasket kit
Cylinder Head Gasket Kit Saturn Ion 2.0 LSJ 2004 - 2007 12601810

x16 lifters
Ecotec Lifter/ Adjuster 24100005 replaced by 12572638

camshaft position sensor housing seal - 12597644

front cam seal - 12578146

crank pulley bolt
Ecotec Balancer Bolt 11589123

timing chain
Chain LSJ Camshaft Timing 24461834

Front engine cover gasket
Ecotec Front Cover Gasket 24435052

front main seal
Ecotec Timing Cover Seal 12584041

Not sure if these items should be replaced:

valve keepers?
Ecotec Valve Keepers (Key) 90354648

valve cover gasket?
Ecotec LSJ 2.0 Valve Cover Gasket 90537687

Also let me know if I missed anything. Thanks!

Staged07SS

iTrader: (25)

You don't need to replace the blower gasket unless it looks damaged. If you're like me, and like new gaskets when building something it wont hurt to replace it.

While you're at it, I would install upgraded valvesprings as well. If I was in your position, I would. Might pay off in the future if you ever decide to increase your rev limiter.

SaberD

I have no intentions of making more than stock power without drivetrain modifications, and I don't plan on beefing up the trans. Have there been any problems with the stock springs on stock engines?

Staged07SS

iTrader: (25)

Nope. The stock springs are fine.

Just a suggestion.

I wasn't sure if you were modded or not.

mrbelvedere

iTrader: (3)

if the chain slipped while doing a tensioner swap your chain is worn out and needs replaced

you have lots of things you dont need in you list either

SaberD

what don't you think I need? trying to check things off the list here.

mrbelvedere

iTrader: (3)

Need
head gasket kit
Cylinder Head Gasket Kit Saturn Ion 2.0 LSJ 2004 - 2007 12601810

dont need unless yours are giving you problems
x16 lifters
Ecotec Lifter/ Adjuster 24100005 replaced by 12572638

dont need
camshaft position sensor housing seal - 12597644

wtf is this dont need
front cam seal - 12578146

need
crank pulley bolt
Ecotec Balancer Bolt 11589123

need
timing chain
Chain LSJ Camshaft Timing 24461834

dont need stocker os o-ringed
Front engine cover gasket
Ecotec Front Cover Gasket 24435052

dont need relube reuse
front main seal
Ecotec Timing Cover Seal 12584041

Not sure if these items should be replaced:

dont need
valve keepers?
Ecotec Valve Keepers (Key) 90354648

need
valve cover gasket?
Ecotec LSJ 2.0 Valve Cover Gasket 90537687

SaberD

this is the flat seal that goes on the intake cam end cap.

the service manual says to replace a lot of these things you said I don't need to replace, hence the reason why i made this thread. thanks for your input.

mrbelvedere

iTrader: (3)

the cam end seal you dont need to replace that either its a rubber seal the service manuel says to do alot of **** you dont need to do