Street roller vs true roller timing chain
Le Mans Master
Joined: Aug 2000
Posts: 6,362
Likes: 7
From: Brazos TX
Cruise-In IV Veteran
Cruise-In V Veteran
Depending on the terms being used a true roller generally means that there is a pin connecting the links of the chain and a roller that goes over the pin thus rolling as the chain runs over the sprocket. A 'street' roller just has the pins. The overall dimensions of either are the same and that is .25" diameter pins or rollers. When you get a true roller be certain that it isn't a split roller, meaning the rollers are made with a seam in them. These types are prone to failure under extreme conditions because the seam is the weak point. Get a true roller with seamless rollers if you want the best quality. They, of course, are much more expensive than a normal 'street' or split roller chain.
Oh, one more point....true rollers are sometimes called double rollers but don't confuse them with double row chains. You can have a double row, double roller chain (most are) that is also a double row true roller chain. As always people misapply the terms and call double row chains a double roller. So have a close look at what you buy or a general rule is if it costs around $90 US or more then it is probably a true roller. When you look at the chain use a point of a pen to try to spin a roller. It it's a solid pin then it is a 'street' type roller but if there is a sleeve that rotates then it is a double or true roller. As an example jeg's/cloyes p/n 220-9-3145 is a true roller with rotating pins/rollers but p/n 220-9-1100 is a 'street' roller with solid pins/rollers.
Oh, one more point....true rollers are sometimes called double rollers but don't confuse them with double row chains. You can have a double row, double roller chain (most are) that is also a double row true roller chain. As always people misapply the terms and call double row chains a double roller. So have a close look at what you buy or a general rule is if it costs around $90 US or more then it is probably a true roller. When you look at the chain use a point of a pen to try to spin a roller. It it's a solid pin then it is a 'street' type roller but if there is a sleeve that rotates then it is a double or true roller. As an example jeg's/cloyes p/n 220-9-3145 is a true roller with rotating pins/rollers but p/n 220-9-1100 is a 'street' roller with solid pins/rollers.
