Going to install new timing chain in 1994 Trans Am, I need to know if I'm going to have to replace the oil pan gasket, and any easy ways of doing this. I'd appreciate any helpful hints.

 

As long as you're careful/gentle you should NOT have to replace the oil pan gasket. Get the front 4 bolts of the oil pan down fairly far. That should be enough clearance.

Line up the crank and the cam sprocket markings before you pull the cam sprocket off.

 

If you drop the oil pan a tad bit before removing hte timing cover you should be fine. Otherwise ther eis a 9 in 10 chance you'll rip the oil pan gasket. I actually didn't replace my gasket when ir ipped it removing my timing cover (it's a total PITA)...instead i used lots of high temp RTV to replace the gasket lol. So far so good I don't expect it to last forever though 0- i have a new gasket for when that starts to leak hehe.