Timing Chain/Gears Question - should there be slack?
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Le Mans Master
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Timing Chain/Gears Question - should there be slack?
When I had the heads off last May, I changed the timing chain and gears with a new stock style set. Every other time I've done this, the chain was tight. When I pulled the timing cover, there was a little slack in the old chain, so I pulled the gears and put the new one on. It had almost the same amount of slack as the old one. I thought something was wrong with that picture, so I sent the wife to the parts store to get another chain. Different store, different brand, new chain.... same slack.
Should there be any slack on a new chain? The pictures below show the amount on the old chain.... the new one is similar, but not as bad.
Thoughts????
[Modified by Marcho Polo, 10:05 PM 1/14/2003]
Should there be any slack on a new chain? The pictures below show the amount on the old chain.... the new one is similar, but not as bad.
Thoughts????
[Modified by Marcho Polo, 10:05 PM 1/14/2003]
Instructor
Joined: Mar 2001
Posts: 181
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From: Swansea, IL, USA
Re: Timing Chain/Gears Question - should there be slack? (Marcho Polo)
mine had it too, but as far as weather it is normal, I'm not positive, but I've seen lots that way... I never had any problems... but I don't rev too high... not past 5800.
Drifting
Joined: Aug 2000
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From: West Islip New York
Re: Timing Chain/Gears Question - should there be slack? (Marcho Polo)
That looks a bit much for a new chain. I might be tempted to try another brand or type. You can get a true roller from Cloyes, probably one of the best.
Burning Brakes
Joined: Aug 2002
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From: Houston TX
Re: Timing Chain/Gears Question - should there be slack? (1MoorTym)
I've never had any slack in a new aftermarket chain. In fact, the chain is so tight, it's hard to get the gears on. Any slack will allow variations in cam timing, so I'd think that ain't a good thing. Unless that's normal for your engine, I'd be wary. Maybe buy a Cloyes, as already suggested, and compare.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Oct 1999
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From: Sachse Texas
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Re: Timing Chain/Gears Question - should there be slack? (1MoorTym)
I know the stock LT1 chain has a little slack, but by the looks of it, not as much as you are showing to have. My Cloyes double roller has absolutely none. With your experience with timing chains, I would definately find out the scoop.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Jan 2002
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Re: Timing Chain/Gears Question - should there be slack? (Marcho Polo)
when my 350 came out, it had that much and my friend/his dad (mechanic) said it wasn't that bad
when my 383 was together (all 3 times- thanks kev ;)) it had much less slack
when i helped someone on the camaro forum wiht a cam swap he had that much
i wasn't around when the new one went on
when my 383 was together (all 3 times- thanks kev ;)) it had much less slack
when i helped someone on the camaro forum wiht a cam swap he had that much
i wasn't around when the new one went on
Melting Slicks
Joined: Jun 2002
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From: Phoenix AZ
Re: Timing Chain/Gears Question - should there be slack? (Marcho Polo)
Sending the wife to the parts store for a timing chain set? I like it, but it sure wouldn't fly in this household!! (at least she doesn't mind me working on the car)
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Racer
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From: Westfield MA
Re: Timing Chain/Gears Question - should there be slack? (Marcho Polo)
When I replaced the original chain on my '87 L98, I decided to go with a Cloyes True Roller set. I called Cloyes and spoke to one of their engineers about how much "slack" was normal in a new "standard type silent chain" set. He explained to me that the chains used to be installed by hand on GM's engine assembly line. When GM automated the assembly line, the job of installing the chains was changed to robotics. But, the robots couldn't do the job as well as humans, so GM engineers decided to "relax" the tolerances a bit to ease the installation. The engineers decided this "relaxed' tolerance would not affect the reliability of the average street engine. This is why some of the "stock" silent chain sets have some slack when new. Don't know if this info is actually correct, but I have to assume the engineer from Cloyes knows what he talking about.
Le Mans Master
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Re: Timing Chain/Gears Question - should there be slack? (fullboogie)
I've never had any slack in a new aftermarket chain. In fact, the chain is so tight, it's hard to get the gears on. Any slack will allow variations in cam timing, so I'd think that ain't a good thing. Unless that's normal for your engine, I'd be wary. Maybe buy a Cloyes, as already suggested, and compare.
Advanced
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From: Chicago Suburbs
Re: Timing Chain/Gears Question - should there be slack? (The Gooch)
Well nobody has asked this but did you change the gears and chain or just the chain? Can the gears be worn? If the motor has been sitting for a while the oil can be pushed away allowing bearings to touch the crank and cam thus bringing the cam and crank closer toghther but I can only guess this would be about .002 +/- .002 which can't be noticed.
If by chance you try to install a new chain on old gears it will seem tight but in fact the links don't match the gears and thus the chain stands off the gear making it real tight until you start it up and let the chain stretch to the gears. This is a real bad thing to do so the standard advice is ALWAYS change them as a set!!
I know chains pretty well because of motorcycle racing and you don't want a chain too tight because as a chain heats up it becomes much tighter and will quickly gall the links and fail. Anyway why not upgrade to double roller?
If by chance you try to install a new chain on old gears it will seem tight but in fact the links don't match the gears and thus the chain stands off the gear making it real tight until you start it up and let the chain stretch to the gears. This is a real bad thing to do so the standard advice is ALWAYS change them as a set!!
I know chains pretty well because of motorcycle racing and you don't want a chain too tight because as a chain heats up it becomes much tighter and will quickly gall the links and fail. Anyway why not upgrade to double roller?
Thread Starter
Le Mans Master
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From: Fort Worth Texas
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Re: Timing Chain/Gears Question - should there be slack? (weracemo)
weracemo,
I did the chain and gears as a set. I have a cam to put in, and I'll probably get a double roller setup when I tear down for the cam.
I did the chain and gears as a set. I have a cam to put in, and I'll probably get a double roller setup when I tear down for the cam.
Safety Car
Joined: Dec 2000
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From: Jacksonville Fl
Re: Timing Chain/Gears Question - should there be slack? (Marcho Polo)
It's not abnormal. It is a combined result of tolerances in camshaft center, bearing wear and line bore of the crank bearings.
I have seen Cloyes sale .010 oversize gears to solve this problem. I have also seen under size chains to solve it.
I would bet a new set of cam bearing would take a lot of the slack back out.
I have seen Cloyes sale .010 oversize gears to solve this problem. I have also seen under size chains to solve it.
I would bet a new set of cam bearing would take a lot of the slack back out.
