Cam Chains
 

Just started into a teardown of a 3,0 turbo engine to replace a broken headstud and re-seal. The cam chains look to be too long. The tensioners look to be at the end of their travel and the idler pulley arm on the left (1-3) side was up against the top of the chain housing. The sprockets don't seem unduly worn and I don't see evidence that there has been machine work done to lessen the distance between the crank and cams. I really don't want to split the case unless if I have to. Should I assume the chains have stretched that much or could there be other things going on? Any informed opinions on the timing chains that use the master link as opposed to having to split the case? Thanks. -John

Update - I don't know why I didn't think to search first. There were many previous discussions concerning this that answered my questions. -John