How much does a stock BB timing cover flex?
Thread Starter
Drifting
Joined: Jul 2011
Posts: 1,697
Likes: 139
From: Syracuse NY
How much does a stock BB timing cover flex?
Installing a roller cam and Im setting the cam button. Ive heard all sorts of things about the stock timing cover being fine, Ive heard about welding a plate on the outside and Ive heard that only an aftermarket cover will work. I can tell you my stock timing cover is quite stout and I had to really pry to get it to move. Opinions?
Le Mans Master
Joined: May 2002
Posts: 5,086
Likes: 786
From: Lebanon Township New Jersey
Moroso still sells them for small blocks. I have one and it provides a simple way to preload the front of the cover to prevent cam walk.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Apr 2011
Posts: 6,284
Likes: 1,171
From: Hermosa
On my sbc I JB welded a plate onto the front of the timing cover, then spaced the water pump with gasket thickness so that back plate on water pump just touches the plate on the timing cover. This seems to work well and keeps things from flexing. Initially the timing chain cover flexed and allow cam to walk. OEM timing chain cover on my 350 was thinner guage and flexed more than the aftermarket one I replaced it with.
Team Owner
Joined: Apr 1999
Posts: 21,953
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From: Reno Nevada
2024 C3 of the Year Finalist- Modified
I'm going to ask a real question. What if you install one of the highest quality double roller timing chains, with billet timing gears, with a Torrington type bearing between the block and timing gear? Then take the time to correctly position the lower gear on the crank to not load the Torrington bearing.
The double roller chain is extremely ridged against bending in the fore and aft direction.
Will a so installed cam "Walk"?
The double roller chain is extremely ridged against bending in the fore and aft direction.
Will a so installed cam "Walk"?
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Team Owner
Joined: Apr 1999
Posts: 21,953
Likes: 1,445
From: Reno Nevada
2024 C3 of the Year Finalist- Modified
I'm going to ask a real question again. What if you install one of the highest quality double roller timing chains, with billet timing gears, with a Torrington type bearing between the block and timing gear? Then take the time to correctly position the lower gear on the crank to not load the Torrington bearing.
The double roller chain is extremely ridged against bending in the fore and aft direction.
The double roller chain is extremely ridged against bending in the fore and aft direction.
More then the recommended minimum deflection
Le Mans Master
Joined: Oct 2010
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From: melbourne florida
2023 C3 of the Year Finalist - Modified
Team Owner
Joined: Apr 1999
Posts: 21,953
Likes: 1,445
From: Reno Nevada
2024 C3 of the Year Finalist- Modified
Just keep thinking about how far does the cam really move back and forth in the block when held by a stiff timing chain. Because the only forces applied in either the for or aft direction is the helical cut distributer gears driving the shaft and oil pump.
Does that oil pump load push the cam forward or pull it back into the block?
Does that oil pump load push the cam forward or pull it back into the block?
