different timing gear and chain?

Did he know you were running a double roller chain set? If not he was advising you correctly. The reason you need to run something better than stock is the load that's on it with a roller cam. A stock timing set won't generally last long with that kind of load.

Tracy's on it^^^^^... I see a double roller needed,with extra heavier than stock valve spring pressure s.( O.P didn't state what cam,or valve springs in initial post.)