Oil pump chain R&R

[Henn28]

For those that have done the chain guides on their M62s, I’m hoping you can answer a question for me. Will pulling the tensioner give enough slack in the timing chain to slip it off the crank gear so that the oil chain can be removed and replaced or is this wishful thinking?

The 4.6 motor I am considering for my project needs to be converted to AWD but has been otherwise refreshed and timed. I’ve looked everywhere for a master link chain for the M62 and can’t find one. Fortunately the engine is not installed so access isn’t the problem.

I’m hoping to only pull the lower timing cover and oil pans to do this, assuming that this is even possible. I’d rather not pull any upper covers, mess the timing up, etc. Having not done the timing chain job myself yet I could see BMW making the lower cover impossible to remove before the uppers.

Hard earned lessons learned and speculation are very welcome.