While your in the there... might as well install a new Timing Set (3hole) and oil pump. Cant hurt at all and not to pricey.

 

Which 5.3 do you have?? LC9, LMG or one of the other variations???

 

gotta drop the oil pan for that one. The timing chains will last as long as the engine.

I would be more concerned with the timing chain dampener

 

As far as i can tell... Timing chain is same part number for all ls engines, whether they had tensioner, dampener, or were flapping in the wind... Only differemce seem to have been the cam gear...id swap the tensioner off run the ls2 dampener and sort the cam gear out....