Double row timing chain clearance issues
Thread Starter
Instructor
Joined: Mar 2016
Posts: 138
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Double row timing chain clearance issues
Just got my engine back from the engine builder, he used a double row instead of a single like I asked so now I'm here trying to make it work. He didn't include the spacers for the oil pump to make it clear the chain so I purshased those. Now I'm having fitement issues with the cover hitting the oil pump I'm guessing. There a huge gap on the bottom left and right. The chain sticks out past the motor you can see it. Anybody have any fixes for this? I'm trying to button the motor up to slap it in the car!
Le Mans Master
Joined: Apr 2013
Posts: 5,376
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Agreed that it should be the builder fixing that issue. Who uses double roller timing chains anymore, anyhow? As my teenager daughter would say, “that is sooo 1980s”.
Having said that, if you’re for whatever reason stuck with that chain, you should be able to find an aftermarket timing chain cover that fits. You would need to call someone like Comp to find out whether theirs fit. Bearing in mind that they make double-roller chains for these engines, logic would dictate that their cover should fit over it. But who knows?
Good luck whichever route you go.
Having said that, if you’re for whatever reason stuck with that chain, you should be able to find an aftermarket timing chain cover that fits. You would need to call someone like Comp to find out whether theirs fit. Bearing in mind that they make double-roller chains for these engines, logic would dictate that their cover should fit over it. But who knows?
Good luck whichever route you go.
Thread Starter
Instructor
Joined: Mar 2016
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Hey guys the engine builder is in another state and I've sent the block back once for a mistake they made and I truly don't feel like waiting another month or so for them to have my motor. I paid a lot of money to get it built and everytime I go to slap it together it's one thing after another. I think I am going to just pull this chain off and go back to a single roller to make it all easier. On my stock ls7 motor I have about 19-20k miles would I be alright using the stock gears with just a new chain or go ahead and replace the gears as well?
Drifting
Joined: Dec 2012
Posts: 1,717
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From: O'Fallon IL
That's normal for double roller timing chains. The timing chain kit should've come with spacers for the oil pump as well. You need to grind the cover, as there's no way around that. You may even have to grind the oil pump bolts heads, unless you go buy some at the hardware store that are more recessed.
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Thread Starter
Instructor
Joined: Mar 2016
Posts: 138
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That's normal for double roller timing chains. The timing chain kit should've come with spacers for the oil pump as well. You need to grind the cover, as there's no way around that. You may even have to grind the oil pump bolts heads, unless you go buy some at the hardware store that are more recessed.
I called my builder and asked about the spacers and he told me the kit didn't come with them which is a lie because I seen the same exact chain and they do, he just didn't send them. I went ahead and ordered some and got them in Saturday and it came with different bolts so the head isn't there. Is there any benefit to running a double or should I just swap back to the single? The double is already on the car just need to maybe Dremel the cover and maybe some of the pump but if there's no real benefit I rather not grind away and just order a single. Thanks
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Instructor
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Racer
Joined: Sep 2007
Posts: 333
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From: East Coast
Used this on my LS7 build, original GM timing chain on the crate motor had play in the timing chain, this set up didn't.
https://www.summitracing.com/parts/c...make/chevrolet
https://www.summitracing.com/parts/c...make/chevrolet
Safety Car
Joined: Feb 2007
Posts: 4,684
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From: Opelika Alabama
Thread Starter
Instructor
Joined: Mar 2016
Posts: 138
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lol people always assuming, I did use a real engine builder. I used borowski race engines they build some bad *** stuff and they are really good with the dart blocks. He must have just misunderstood on that for it to clear my cover. Thanks for your input though 👍
Melting Slicks
Joined: Mar 2016
Posts: 2,211
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From: Indianapolis IN
I admit that I assumed your builder was inexperienced. Did you even call to ask about it before posting here?
Thread Starter
Instructor
Joined: Mar 2016
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Sure did, he told me to grind the cover and maybe the pump a little. All I was trying to see is if somebody has had the same problems as me to help out and if it was worth running the double or just go back to a single so I don't have to grind. Since the chain is already on the car I wanted to find out before I yanked it off.
