themachine shop building my engine called yesterday and told me that the Cloyes timing set I bought is defective or something. I stopped in and took a look at it and once its all bolted up, you can even turn the crank by hand. The only things assembled in the engine is the crank and cam. I had to use a rachet to turn the crank over. Is this just a defective timing set of has anyone had this problem before. Once we took the chain off, the crank spun very easily. Its a double roller timing set. I think I paid about $30 for it. Should I get a replacnet one or go for something different

 

Isn't there interference problems with late model rollers blocks and double roller chains? I thought hit the retainer plate or the bolts. I may be wrong but it might be worth checking out.

 

I already took a look for that and nothing is rubbing. The chain gets WAY to tight once the bolts are tightened. There is ZERO play in the chain.

 

I'd take it back and get another.

 

I agree. Shouldn't be THAT tight. Love your car BTW BOTTLEDZr28.......I plan to eventually paint my '83 the same color ever since I seen yours.

:hail:

 

Cheap chains like the low end Cloyes chains and such are often tight as a guitar string the first time you bolt them on. However, once the engine starts they stretch like crazy and you'll find they're loose and floppy the next time you have the timing cover off- not a good thing. If you're not paying at least $50 for a timing chain set, you're probably not getting a very good one.

Cloyes also sells a GOOD chain set they call the True Roller. You'll pay twice as much for it but it is a much better quality chain set. It won't be guitar-string-tight when you bolt it on and it won't stretch nearly as much when the engine is run.

 

Damon hit it. The low end chains are usually very tight and that is NORMAL. Once they have some run time they tend to loosen up, not a enough to start slapping the cover or cause any damage that ive seen. Ive used the cheap chains many times with no problems but I tend to get bored of a particular cam grind after a year or so then I replace the cam and use another cheap chain unless its an engine I used gear on then that stays.

If you plan on keeping this engine sealed for a very long time it is well worth the investment for a true roller type even a single row true roller will outlast a cheap double row chain.

 

I bought one their true roller chains it cost me about $100. it wasnt a tight fit, didnt have any problems installing it and there are no clearance problems even on a 91 roller block. the old saying "you get what you pay for" pay a $100+ youll get something good.

 

cloyes big single tru eroller is all you'll ever need... if u want the part number i'll grab it for ya

 

FYI- the Edlebrock timing chain is actually made by Cloyes and is the same as their "True Roller." Packaging is even the same except the card is red and has Edlbrock's logo on it. Picked on up just last week for $77 at my local speed shop, so I'm sure a better price could be had via mail order.

I'm taking about a chain set for a flat tappet cam, not a factory roller cam setup. Factory roller cams use a different (incompatible) chain set.

 

there are two diff part numbers, one for a flat tappet cam, one for rolle.r...

but yes, the edlebrock one ur speakin of is a cloyes chain set