Stephen L

I was on the track and something seems to have gone very wrong. I let off the gas and hit the brakes for a turn. (No shift at this turn)
When I went back to the gas there was nothing. It was like someone had turned off the key! No bad noises, just a motor spinning down.

The starter turned over, but something was wrong. I pulled the valve cover and the rocker arms are not moving.

I suspect a timing chain issue.

What is the best replacement timing chain set for the LS1? Do some people use belt drives, or gear drives? Are they even available?

Any helpful hints on pulling everything apart? I have the factory service manuals.

Are these interferance motors? Am I going to find a bunch of bent pushrods / valves etc.

Your thoughts would be appreciated.

Steve

Patches

You're probably going to find a big mess in there with bent valves, pushrods, etc. Broken timing chain was one of the scenarios I was looking to avoid when I put in the Rollmaster dual roller setup when I did h/c.

Scoggins-Dickey sells that and single chains as well.

ArKay99

Steven, first I am sorry to hear about your problem. Hopefully some other more knowledgeable people will repond.
1. Are the rocker arms at various stages of open and closed?
2. How high did you rev before the turn?
3. It sounds like the timing chain has broken. When the timing chain breaks, the cam snaps to the part of it's rotation the provides the least resistance from the down pressure of the lifters. That would be where they provide the least resistance, i.e. they valves will be at their highest, but, there may still be some damage. :(
4. I believe the Rollmaster double roller set heat treated to be the best. There may be other opinions.
5. Helpful hints in taking apart. http://www.ls1howto.com/index.php?article=1 thanks to jmX's website ls1HowTo.com.
6. I suspect you are going to find at least a few bent pushrods, valves, and nicked pistons. :(

NEPTUNEBILL

I certainly agree with all the above I put a Cloyes LA gear set in the stroker-it cost about 3 times the price of the rollmaster but I could not take a chance on the stroker and new heads etc--I think it is probably overkill but I wasn't as broke prior to the motor as now, or I would be running the rollmaster--

Shinobi'sZ

Arkay has posted a good how to site..and Patches is most likely correct.
Sounds like you broke the timing chain..its crystal ball until you get the motor apart with regards to internal damages. You might have got lucky..but I wouldn't count on it..but still I hope for you. Install a Rollmaster they are a lot lower in price now too.

Stephen L

Thanks, It seems like you are confirming my bad (but probably correct) thoughts.

I only had it up to 5500 or 6000 prior to that turn. Oh well. My engine builder will hear about this one.....

I will look into the chains that you mentioned.

Thanks,

Steve

runamuk

How old is this motor?

I'd hate to be around when you break the news :mad

Stephen L

The motor has had several years of gentle, old lady miles (race-track). I am not disappointed in it's performance, only that a stupid timing chain took it all out! I will see what chain they put in it and if they have had this problem before. I might put a gear drive in.

I will start digging into it tomorrow and see how bad it all is.

Steve

gonbad

As far as I know there is not a gear drive available for the LS1/LS6.

tomdcarguy

[QUOTE] Oh well. My engine builder will hear about this one....

Just remember....he doesn't make the chain....he just installed it :smash:
But either way it still sux :mad good luck

Bigblockquad

Hopefully the springs pulled the intake valves out of the way before pistons came to TDC. I feel for ya man.

I think Jesel makes a drive but its pricey. If you can find a gear drive for the LS1 its pretty indestructable but noisy.

Rich.

pdd000

man the blows. definatly get a doulbe roller :thumbs:

IFLUBYU

Sorry to hear about your problem.

I would definately pull the rockers and pushrods right now to see how bad a hit the valvetrain did or did not take. Might be a good time to do a cam, pulley and oil pump while you are in there.

After you check out jmXs site (mentioned above) check out my site (in my sig) if you want to see the Rollmaster Double Roller timing set going on. They also have a heat treated set with a torrington bearing for a few bucks more. I just went for the basic one.

Good luck! :thumbs: