I'm looking to do a cam swap soon. What timing chain (not interested in gears) is the best to get for a non-roller block? I see in Jegs chains running from $30 to over $100! Whats the difference? I just want one that will bolt on with no mods. Any brands to stay away from? Thanx

 

There's single chain and there's double.

A single is fine for most applications. A double is "piece of mind" since it is a little stronger, and it does stretch less at high RPM and after many miles. This just keeps the timing more accurate.

The ~$50ones that you're seeing are TRUE ROLLER. (Don't be fooled by chains that say "double roller" when they really mean double chain.) The chain links have an actually rolling pin that rides on the teeth of the sprocket. This reduces friction which 'can' help with HP but how much is anyone's guess.

The ~$100 ones are probably 'bullet proof' which means they're made of much stronger metal. Not something a 450HP motor or less needs. Sometimes they're made of a lighter metal that reduces rotating mass.

A regular single is fine, but for the slight increase in $$$, get the double chain.

 

If you re-use your old gears, you need to get the same kind of chain. That's stupid though, especially if you have stock gears; the chain isn't the thing that fails, it's the cam gear.

Replace them all as a set.

 

I just looked at their website and saw some of the $100 ones. They feature easy adjust timing devices which you certainly don't need yet ("yet" being the key word )

It's to make degreeing a cam easier, which is something done by guys that spend 8 hours a day on dynos and try and get that last HP by moving the timing 1/2 degree.

 

:sillylol: I think by saying "not interested in gears" he meant he's not wanting to buy gear drives.

EDIT: Like these ---->

 

Yeah, thats what i ment. Thanx guys. Any good brands to get?

 

I have to change my sig... I have the Crane double roller chain on my car....

 

Cloyes is the one and only timing chain i will ever use.

 

cloyes would be my first pick but i've used them from most or all of the major manufactures with no problems. i'd stay away from auto zone and similar discount parts store brands.

 

if u buy and edelbrock cam u have to and i will stress have to buy their chain. they are set to a different degree as the regular normal ones. i found that out the hard way after buying a cloyes and the motor wouldnt even turn right and the edelbrock chain fixed that.

 

I'm putting a LT1 cam in my 305 (LO3). Do I need a different type of timing chain for this?

 

I went with a Summit Brand. 5,000 miles later and alot of abuse its still turnin.

 

yes, you have a roller motor, you arent supposed to use regular timing chains, but if you look in scummit's catalog, there's at least one chain set that costs under $50 that is made for your motor. Does anybody know why exactly they say you have to use a specific chainset for a roller motor?

 

It has to do with the front of the cam I believe.

 

The front of the roller cams have a stepped nose design. The cam gear I believe is also machined to clear the thrust plate bolts. Also, the roller cams bolts are in a smaller bolt circle, I orderded a cam locking plate for a standard small block and the bolt circle on the plate was too big for the cam.

 

Standard Cloyes or TRW roller chain should work fine. All you have to do is to shorten the indexing pin in the front journal face of the camshaft to the stock length for a "regular" SBC. Usually they can simply be driven in a little deeper to clear the timing cover, and sometimes they need to be cut or ground shorter.