Timing chain.. does it really need changing???
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Timing chain.. does it really need changing???
Since I've got the optispark and water pump off, I was thinking since the engine has 131k miles on it, does it need a timing chain replacement? I have talked with a guy at the chevy dealer that said the timing chain on the LT1 shouldn't ever need changing (except peformance modified engines). What do you guys think?
Drifting
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From: Big D Tx
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Re: Timing chain.. does it really need changing??? (Glock'94)
if it jumps the chain, it wreaks havoc on your valvetrain. all timing chains wind up getting slack in them over time.
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From: Dallas TX
Re: Timing chain.. does it really need changing??? (88L98)
Well, yeah... the valves would hit the pistons and put holes in them... but how often does that really happen? I don't recall ever hearing anyone have a problem with that.
Drifting
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From: Big D Tx
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Re: Timing chain.. does it really need changing??? (Glock'94)
ive seen it happen on a SBC, but the chain is still just a chain on an LT1. id replace it with some quiet drive gears anyways.
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From: Dallas TX
Re: Timing chain.. does it really need changing??? (88L98)
I think I'm going to wait until rebuild to do this... i've already spent too much time working on the opti/pump replacement. If I do the timing chain, I will want to convert it to a double roller, which needs a new valve cover, and then I'll want to put the LT4 HOT cam in, so.. again... it starts adding up. I'll just wait until rebuild when all these things will be easily replaced.
Drifting
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From: Big D Tx
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Re: Timing chain.. does it really need changing??? (Glock'94)
yeah if your planning on doing a cam swap or rebuild later, it would be pointless to dig that far into the motor now when you could do it all at once. as long as your running fine for now i would not worry about it.
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Re: Timing chain.. does it really need changing??? (88L98)
My 97,000 L98 was extremely slack and the crank gear was starting to show wear. The Cam gear was fine.
You're that deep already, I would change it. You're looking at like $30 for the set and $15 for gaskets...which is a lot less than the heads/pistons/crank(sudden stoppage)/block(possibly) you'll have to replace after the chain breaks or gear snaps.
Also, my personal preference is to stick with a chain, but thats just personal preference.
You're that deep already, I would change it. You're looking at like $30 for the set and $15 for gaskets...which is a lot less than the heads/pistons/crank(sudden stoppage)/block(possibly) you'll have to replace after the chain breaks or gear snaps.
Also, my personal preference is to stick with a chain, but thats just personal preference.
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Re: Timing chain.. does it really need changing??? (Glock'94)
Well, yeah... the valves would hit the pistons and put holes in them... but how often does that really happen? I don't recall ever hearing anyone have a problem with that.
I can recall it very well, here are some photos. This happen about 1 month after I redid my heads, guess what they got done again later that summer :cry
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Drifting
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From: Big D Tx
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Re: Timing chain.. does it really need changing??? (NoWorries)
thats exactly what i was talking about that i had seen happen. bent valves and pushrods. and the guy i saw it happen to had such bad cuts in his piston that about half of them wouldve required replacement. the guy went ahead and did a full rebuild instead. its a pretty good insurance to go ahead and replace it, but if you plan on doing a rebuild (pretty) soon then i wouldnt worry about it
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From: Dallas TX
Re: Timing chain.. does it really need changing??? (Glock'94)
I think I'm going to wait until rebuild time. I can obviously see what a broken timing chain does, but look at your sig picture.. it easy to see that you do some racing which undoubtedly puts extra strain on the engine. Without doing much racing, I think I'll be fine. I'm expecting to rebuild the engine within the next 2-3 years most likely. Only thing that would make that come earlier is if something does break, or if I win the lottery :D.
Also, noticing that your gear broke into pieces, a gear set is abou $400, so I'm trying to stay away from that kind of money until rebuild anyway.
[Modified by Glock'94, 11:35 AM 8/4/2001]
Also, noticing that your gear broke into pieces, a gear set is abou $400, so I'm trying to stay away from that kind of money until rebuild anyway.
[Modified by Glock'94, 11:35 AM 8/4/2001]
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Re: Timing chain.. does it really need changing??? (Glock'94)
Well, yeah... the valves would hit the pistons and put holes in them... but how often does that really happen? I don't recall ever hearing anyone have a problem with that.
hey, look at L98Terror's stuff, and I also had similar results on my '85. Since you've got the front end off anyway, it's cheap insurance to go ahead and replace it. In my lifetime I've actually had two timing chains break on hot rods. First time it broke on a pontiac 400 motor in my '70 Formula Firebird. I got lucky on that one, nothing bent or broke. Just replaced the chain, gears and went on my way. Second time I wasn't so lucky.... bent alot of valves in my '85 vette. Ended up doing a total rebuild, and doing most of the work myself still ended up over a grand doing a budget rebuild!
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Re: Timing chain.. does it really need changing??? (Glock'94)
I think I'm going to wait until rebuild time. I can obviously see what a broken timing chain does, but look at your sig picture.. it easy to see that you do some racing which undoubtedly puts extra strain on the engine. Without doing much racing, I think I'll be fine. I'm expecting to rebuild the engine within the next 2-3 years most likely. Only thing that would make that come earlier is if something does break, or if I win the lottery :D.
Also, noticing that your gear broke into pieces, a gear set is abou $400, so I'm trying to stay away from that kind of money until rebuild anyway.
[Modified by Glock'94, 11:35 AM 8/4/2001]
Also, noticing that your gear broke into pieces, a gear set is abou $400, so I'm trying to stay away from that kind of money until rebuild anyway.
[Modified by Glock'94, 11:35 AM 8/4/2001]
Your motor... but racing really has nothing to do with the extra strain in my opinion. My '85 was bone stock and I didn't race it at all before the chain went. My firebird wasn't raced either, and the motor only had about 40,000 on the rebuild when the chain on that one went. Just bad luck on that one I guess. I don't know why a timing chain set would be $400 on an LT1 I haven't looked at prices. I know for L98 and earlier motors a timing chain set can be had for under $30. You should really consider doing it now, especially if you can't afford to be surprised with a broken motor before you're ready to rebuild. Alot can happen in the 2 to 3 years before your planned rebuild. That's 20-40 thousand potential miles!
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From: Looks like I picked the wrong week to stop sniffin glue Orlando
Re: Timing chain.. does it really need changing??? (Marcho Polo)
I can’t believe how cheep that stock timing chain looks compared to a double roller timing chain. Someone mentioned earlier that you need a new timing chain cover when converting to a double roller, but will the double roller timing chain cover fit behind the water pump (L98)? :chevy
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Re: Timing chain.. does it really need changing??? (IBEAM700)
I can’t believe how cheep that stock timing chain looks compared to a double roller timing chain. Someone mentioned earlier that you need a new timing chain cover when converting to a double roller, but will the double roller timing chain cover fit behind the water pump (L98)? :chevy
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Re: Timing chain.. does it really need changing??? (Marcho Polo)
I don't know why a timing chain set would be $400 on an LT1 I haven't looked at prices
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Re: Timing chain.. does it really need changing??? (Glock'94)
I don't know why a timing chain set would be $400 on an LT1 I haven't looked at prices
The chain is only around $30-40. The gears are another story, around $400 is what i've been quoted by summit. And as you can see from the pictures above, that gear is in pieces.
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Re: Timing chain.. does it really need changing??? (Glock'94)
131K on timing chain = :smash: any day now. The stock LT1 timing chain and gears is only about 50 - 70 bucks. Take the timing cover off and check the chain. Its so loose by now it probably needs a tensioner. :rolleyes:
As far as bent valves go. It depends on the type of engine. Some engines will not bend valves. Small block chevy is not one of those.
Timing chains do not last forever. Your dealer is misinformed.
[Modified by AquaMetallic94LT1, 10:25 PM 8/4/2001]
As far as bent valves go. It depends on the type of engine. Some engines will not bend valves. Small block chevy is not one of those.
Timing chains do not last forever. Your dealer is misinformed.
[Modified by AquaMetallic94LT1, 10:25 PM 8/4/2001]
Burning Brakes
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Re: Timing chain.. does it really need changing??? (L98Terror)
I got the timing chain+ gaskets+ gears from Jeff Kopp for
a decent price. I forget how much it was but it was no where near or above $200.
this is for my 94 :smash: Court Ajourned !
a decent price. I forget how much it was but it was no where near or above $200.
this is for my 94 :smash: Court Ajourned !
