Hello,

This timing chain seems too loose to me.
But the chains and sprockets don't seem to be really worn yet.
What's smart to do?
I hope you have some good advice.

Jarco

 

How many miles on engine?

Can't get a good look but appears the cam gear is all steel which means it's been replaced.

Since you're already that deep into it, replace it on general principle. Timing sets are cheap enough.

 

That's a double roller chain. It shouldn't be that loose. Has this block been line-bored?

 

That’s the problem, it’s most likely a cheap replacement.

 

Cloyes Street roller perhaps? How many miles? The Cloyes SR had slack out of the box, glad Cloyes discontinued that set.

 

Cloyes Gear Timing Chain and Gear Sets in mine no problems! You should check the center to center measurement. Cloyes sells a reduced center distance set if needed.

 

I don't know how long it's been there.

 

It would have been recently overhauled. If it's line-bored is i ​have no idea

 

Hi, what would be the center to center distance?

 

https://www.cloyes.com/part-finder/?...=applicationhp

Center Distance = 5.044
0.005" Reduced Center Distance Set for Align Honed/Bored Blocks Center Distance = 5.039

Engine builder on here know better than me. I am just a engine assembler who done a few.

 

Boy that is looooose That does not look like a Cloyes part number to me. More likely a cheap knockoff. I have been using Cloyes timing sets for over 30 years and have never had an issue with them.

Can you find out the history of the engine ? You really need to measure center to center but that is very difficult if not impossible to do on an assembled engine. Do you have anyone close by that might have a stock timing set you can try first before you order a new one ? Where are you located ?

If your problem is caused by the chain being stretched and you order a set for the shorter center to center then it will probably be too tight. You might just need a new timing set to fix the issue.

 

Thanks for the reply.
I'm going to measure the center to center size and I order one new timing set.

 

The Cloyes Street roller had that sloppy issue, the other ones seem fine. Another member got one with the same issues as mine. He went with the Cloyes Billet 9 way set Mark recommends and uses in the build. It was way tighter out of the box. Seriously, mine looked like that after just a few thousand miles. If the motor was a recent rebuild, he may need the reduced distance set. I may also need that set, it depends on how much is removed with an align hone.

 

Thanks for the good help!

Tomorrow I will replace the distribution.
It's a double chain. Does anyone have a good tip for set it on the time?

 

Cloyes has that number. That’s how they gauge their sets.
A timing chain lesson- most of your inexpensive 3 keyway sets come from one or two manufacturers. They may say “Made in USA” on the crank sprocket and most think the whole set is made here. WRONG! All that means is that gear is made here. Typically the chain is from overseas and the cam sprocket can be from anywhere.
if you want a truly matched set then use the Cloyes 9-3613x9. From there they offer sets for line bored applications. Anyone want to guess how those sets compensate for a shorter centerline distance?
Hope this helps.
Mark

 

Larger crank gear??

 

Isn't that a German chain option for the Cloyes Billet roller sets? Is the dash 5 the undersize? Do I need the undersize with an align honed block? My guess would gear size as well for the undersize.

 

Does anyone have a clear explanation of how to set it on time? It's also my first time with a GM engine.

 

You're half right.

 

Take the metal splash shield off the crankshaft and then take a picture from the front showing both sprockets and the chain. If the distributor is still in the engine do not remove it or turn it in any way.

 

Installed the new set today. Went pretty easily without any special tools. Here is the result.

Thank you for all your tips.

 

Can you attribute the difference to anything specific e.g., gear vs. chain vs. some of both?

​​​​​​Glad to see it works, good luck!!!

 

[QUOTE=Sugar Bear;1351218]Can you attribute the difference to anything specific e.g., gear vs. chain vs. some of both?

​​​​​​Glad to see it works, good luck!!![/QUOTE
when we removed it I measured the distance between sprocket and sprocket with chain on it. The difference was about 2 millimeters. 

 

That's better! Did you find your leak?

 

Yes there was a kind of bump in the bottom seal. He was probably not properly put it in and that's why it leaked.

 

That looks so much better. What timing set did you use?

 

I have a edelbrock 7813 used. It wash the one with the fastest delivery. Otherwise it would the next week.
​​​​​​

 

A good idea, that should have been mentioned is your cam should have been degreed. It takes some work and is easiest with the heads off. At the very least, a degree wheel should check the accuracy of the timing set. Sadly some are way off. The 3 sets I checked were accurate. Unfortunately the accuracy of the Edelbrock sets is one of them, look at the reviews of that timing set. Hopefully you got a good one and at least it won't skip a gear.