Timing Chain Slack
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Pro
Joined: Aug 2002
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From: Warner Robins GA
Timing Chain Slack
How much slack would be required on a stock timing chain in an 88 to hear it make noise?
I posted awhile back about trying to find a metal on metal noise. Not a knock, not a tick.. I've pulled the valve covers and pulled the oil pan. I'm 99% sure now that it's the timing chain, and I've had a couple of good mechanic friends agree with me.
I've heard of people getting slack in them (I'm at 110k miles) but was wondering how much slack would need to be in there to get to the point I'm at.
I posted awhile back about trying to find a metal on metal noise. Not a knock, not a tick.. I've pulled the valve covers and pulled the oil pan. I'm 99% sure now that it's the timing chain, and I've had a couple of good mechanic friends agree with me.
I've heard of people getting slack in them (I'm at 110k miles) but was wondering how much slack would need to be in there to get to the point I'm at.
Instructor
Joined: Aug 2003
Posts: 163
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From: Glendale Az
Re: Timing Chain Slack (Tourney3p0)
Normally a worn timing chain will cause the car to run like hell before it starts to make noise. How does yours run. As a chain wears out the timing retards. I have seen only one that actually made noise. Good luck. :chevy
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From: Warner Robins GA
Re: Timing Chain Slack (69vetteracer)
When it's cold it doesn't make a noise.
But when it's cold I have to pump the gas a couple of times on startup or it'll idle down and die.
When the car is warm it makes the "clack" sound but the car starts and runs great. It doesn't have a rough idle, but it will gradually fluctuate between 600-800. I put a screw driver up toward the timing cover and could hear it much more distinctly.
But when it's cold I have to pump the gas a couple of times on startup or it'll idle down and die.
When the car is warm it makes the "clack" sound but the car starts and runs great. It doesn't have a rough idle, but it will gradually fluctuate between 600-800. I put a screw driver up toward the timing cover and could hear it much more distinctly.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Feb 2000
Posts: 9,715
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From: Kempner Texas
Re: Timing Chain Slack (69vetteracer)
Check the ignition timing to see if it has changed. The timing will not hold steady if the chain has really stretched from wear.
The ony time I've actually HEARD a timing chain was when it was hitting the timing chain cover. Examining the inside of the cover will confirm this, but if you go so far as to inspect the chain, might at well install a new one while you're in there.
Jake
The ony time I've actually HEARD a timing chain was when it was hitting the timing chain cover. Examining the inside of the cover will confirm this, but if you go so far as to inspect the chain, might at well install a new one while you're in there.
Jake
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Joined: Aug 2002
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From: Warner Robins GA
Re: Timing Chain Slack (JAKE)
Check the ignition timing to see if it has changed. The timing will not hold steady if the chain has really stretched from wear.
The ony time I've actually HEARD a timing chain was when it was hitting the timing chain cover. Examining the inside of the cover will confirm this, but if you go so far as to inspect the chain, might at well install a new one while you're in there.
Oh well. I'm confident that it's my timing chain now. It'll be awhile before I tackle it, but when I get it off I'll try to get some pictures so we'll all know exactly how much slack is needed for it to hit the timing chain cover.
Burning Brakes
Joined: Nov 2003
Posts: 1,234
Likes: 5
From: Herriman UT
Re: Timing Chain Slack (Tourney3p0)
I'll throw my 2 cents in... I just installed a new cam & timing chain in my '86 with 65k miles. The stock chain had a lot of slop but never made any noise. The new chain is as tight as a piano wire.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Feb 2000
Posts: 9,715
Likes: 27
From: Kempner Texas
Re: Timing Chain Slack (geezel)
Try this, remove the serpentine belt. Start the engine and put your hand on the timing chain cover.
You should be able to feel if the chain's hitting.
Just be careful that your hand doesn't touch the crank pulley and don't let the engine run for long since you won't have any coolant circulation with the belt off. Best to do it with a stone cold engine.
Jake
You should be able to feel if the chain's hitting.
Just be careful that your hand doesn't touch the crank pulley and don't let the engine run for long since you won't have any coolant circulation with the belt off. Best to do it with a stone cold engine.
Jake
Burning Brakes
Joined: Feb 2003
Posts: 1,246
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From: SouthBend IN
Re: Timing Chain Slack (JAKE)
i think you can also check it by the crank timing tab and the dist. rotor. Basically turn the motor over by hand and watch the rotor. Bring the timing marks to 0 then turn the motor the opposit direction while having someone watch the rotor. As soon as it moves stop and look at how many degrees the the balancer has moved. Divide that number by 2...if it's more than 4 you need a new one.
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