Timing chain stretch
Thread Starter
Race Director
Joined: Feb 1999
Posts: 12,772
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From: Indianapolis IN
Timing chain stretch
Question, when I decelerate sometimes I hear a clacking type noise like something is loose, and it sounds like the noise is coming from something that is spinning, I have checked every conceivable bolt to no avail, I also took the valve covers off and it all looked OK. Checked timing, wiring, plugs, plug wires distributor gear and all belts and pulleys, same thing, they all look oK
Would a timing chain stretch do something like this? I also have a "fine" vibration from 3000 rpm and up, but not below 3k.
Just wondering if anyone else has had this problem or a similar problem.
Would a timing chain stretch do something like this? I also have a "fine" vibration from 3000 rpm and up, but not below 3k.
Just wondering if anyone else has had this problem or a similar problem.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Jul 2007
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From: No HOA, New Hampshire
Cruise-In X Veteran
St. Jude Donor '09
My old El-Camino had this strange noise also, then the timing chain cover starting leaking from the grooves cut in it. Many years ago back in the stone (and cast iron age). 
Thread Starter
Race Director
Joined: Feb 1999
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From: Indianapolis IN
Well, the last time the 3 pistons cracked from detonation, I blew the rings and the block cracked as well,,, I went to a new 400ci block that was align bored, maybe this aided the demise of the chain, I'll find out this weekend when I pull the cover. It has lasted through 4 engine builds so far and if I recall correctly, the last time i put the engine back together I questioned the chain but thought it was OK, maybe it wasn't.
Thread Starter
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Joined: Feb 1999
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From: Indianapolis IN
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Hey LD,its Bills86 here...changed my nic some time back...
I was wondering what type,brand and chain you have been running?
No reason for it,just curious...hope you find out what it is and maybe just the chain.
Do also check some of them serpentine brackets too..some of them were known to crack in half and are hard to spot on the engine.
I was wondering what type,brand and chain you have been running?
No reason for it,just curious...hope you find out what it is and maybe just the chain.
Do also check some of them serpentine brackets too..some of them were known to crack in half and are hard to spot on the engine.
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Thread Starter
Race Director
Joined: Feb 1999
Posts: 12,772
Likes: 17
From: Indianapolis IN
Hey LD,its Bills86 here...changed my nic some time back...
I was wondering what type,brand and chain you have been running?
No reason for it,just curious...hope you find out what it is and maybe just the chain.
Do also check some of them serpentine brackets too..some of them were known to crack in half and are hard to spot on the engine.
I was wondering what type,brand and chain you have been running?
No reason for it,just curious...hope you find out what it is and maybe just the chain.
Do also check some of them serpentine brackets too..some of them were known to crack in half and are hard to spot on the engine.
It is a Cloyes DR, but with my luck nothing is a given, I might upgrade to the TPIS 701 cam and go Solid Roller.
Email me when you have time
Thread Starter
Race Director
Joined: Feb 1999
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From: Indianapolis IN
A video of the Timing Chain, no marks in the cover but I bet that this is making the noise and creating the vibration at 3000rpm, I can image that the slack side of the chain would make a humming noise in the engine
http://media.putfile.com/timing-chain-71
http://media.putfile.com/timing-chain-71
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Joined: Jun 1999
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From: Merritt Ils Fl
If you line bore a block isn't the distance between the crank and cam centerline reduced? I understand it is. In one of my books the author talks about timing chains (sets?) which are sized for blocks that have been line bored. Might be worth a visit to Coyles web site to pose a question.
I guess I should have said your chain,if stock, may have been too long from the start,really hasn't stretched that much.
I guess I should have said your chain,if stock, may have been too long from the start,really hasn't stretched that much.
Last edited by Muffin; Nov 3, 2007 at 03:30 PM.
Thread Starter
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Joined: Feb 1999
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From: Indianapolis IN
If you line bore a block isn't the distance between the crank and cam centerline reduced? I understand it is. In one of my books the author talks about timing chains (sets?) which are sized for blocks that have been line bored. Might be worth a visit to Coyles web site to pose a question.
I guess I should have said your chain,if stock, may have been too long from the start,really hasn't stretched that much.
I guess I should have said your chain,if stock, may have been too long from the start,really hasn't stretched that much.
Could be, when I bought the original short block they did not give me a part number for the timing set.
IN looking at Summit, they offer a .005" and .010" reduced Centerline set,, It could very well have been too long from the get go or stretched and when I bought the last block, it had it align bored so maybe it is a stock timing chain, I don't know but I'll find out.
EDIT: The last block was align bored for .005" down, so I will pick up a new chain and put it back together next weekend.
Last edited by LD85; Nov 3, 2007 at 05:41 PM.
Safety Car
Joined: Apr 2004
Posts: 4,532
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From: Lahaina Hi
Stick that chain with a fork it is done
I would also check the back of the timing cover where the cam button hits to see if that is not warn to much.
When you pull the cam gear off I would take a look at the cam bearings and see it they are ok ,or see if the can is walking a little in the bore.
You also need to replace both gears.
H
ave fun
I would also check the back of the timing cover where the cam button hits to see if that is not warn to much.
When you pull the cam gear off I would take a look at the cam bearings and see it they are ok ,or see if the can is walking a little in the bore.
You also need to replace both gears.
H
ave fun
Thread Starter
Race Director
Joined: Feb 1999
Posts: 12,772
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From: Indianapolis IN
Stick that chain with a fork it is done
I would also check the back of the timing cover where the cam button hits to see if that is not warn to much.
When you pull the cam gear off I would take a look at the cam bearings and see it they are ok ,or see if the can is walking a little in the bore.
You also need to replace both gears.
H ave fun
I would also check the back of the timing cover where the cam button hits to see if that is not warn to much.
When you pull the cam gear off I would take a look at the cam bearings and see it they are ok ,or see if the can is walking a little in the bore.
You also need to replace both gears.
H
ave fun