Timing Chain installation ?'s

[Big_B]

I'm installing a new timing chain (summit's true roller) on my 289. Problem is the new appears to have more slack in it than the old one. Also the old one took some coaxing with a puller, but the new one just sorta sits on there.

Any thoughts? The part number on the box appears correct. Just seems like there shouldnt be this much slack, and it should be harder to put on.

 

[88gt]

Edited for the education I just received...

I'm good with it though....I can handle being corrected.

 

[jasonn]

I guess I disagree. All chains will stretch. Even the most expensive. If the new one is even looser than the old one, that is bad. The summit brand line of parts is usually not that good of quality. You could bolt it up and it will run fine that way. I guess it all depends on if it is just a daily driver, or you have some mods done, or street strip or race. I know on all of mine I dial the cams in pretty close. I try to get them within one degree. Again, daily driver - will be all right. Anything else - here is a couple of options. Get a new chain but different brand. I have had good luck with the ford motorsport ones, and cloyes. Really expensive but good is the rollmaster ones. If you really want to check it out good, get a 6" caliper and measure (many times to get good accuracy) and see if you need a shorter than normal chain. If the motor has been line honed before, this is a possibility. Check this site to see how to measure.
http://www.cloyes.com/Aftermarket/TechHelp/tabid/187/Default.aspx

 

[rbohm]

i am going to disagree with 88gt also. the chain should be tight, but with just enough slack to allow for installation. it sounds like the manufacturer had a bad run of either chains, gears or both. or your block has been line bored thus pushing the crank up a fraction and any standard chain you install will be slack. it is also possible that you have run into tolerance stack, where all the tolerances are in the same direction(gears a fraction too small, chain a fraction too large).

 

[Big_B]

It is going to be a weekend driver, and nothing major has been done with the engine. It is a mexican crate motor that has been in the car since the 80's and has who knows how many miles - probably 50-60k. The whole point of this was just to fix a major oil leak, but now I am seeing a new rebuilt engine in the future, so maybe I'll just see which chain set I am comfortable with and get it back together.

thanks all

 

[68keyblr]

I'm building a roller 331 and just installed the cam and timing chain (comp cams). It is a snug fit, with just enough slack to install it.

I'd send it back.

 

[Big_B]

Okay well I took another look at it, and whaddya know, I was trying to put it on backwards. Once I reversed it and got everything to line up, it pretty much slid all the way on, and the slack is gone.