Hi all, So as i am buying parts for my engine I became a bit confused as to which setup for the timing to go with. The choices i have are, single chain, double, then gear drive and in that catagory is noisy or quiet. Which is best for which application? They all seem to be fairly similar in price so that is not a concern for me. I am building a low performance 383 (low as in 400-450hp.)
I would like to be able to take the car out on weekends and drive it around as well as maybe cruise to the 2007 Fbody nats in NJ... so some track time may be seen. If anyone could inform me on which to get i would greatly appriciate it.
Thanks,
Dennis

 

Double roller.

 

Forget about single roller. I would say go with a double roller, as it will withstand power far above what you are shooting for. The only real advantage over a gear drive is that there is no chain stretch after time, but they are also pricey. Some guys like the whine they give off but others hate it.

 

cloyes double roller

 

Thanks guys, now what is the reasoning behind this? From what I understood that i could have gone with any of them? Im trying not only to build the engine but also learn why each thing is done and be able to give a reason as well. Thanks in advance.
Dennis

 

Well, as you would imagine, a single roller chain is just that, it is one chain and each gear has one set of teeth







While a double roller chain has TWO chains side by side, and each gear has two sets of teeth.






You could think of it as a double roller chain is twice as strong as a single roller. If for whatever reason you are getting dieseling, or you get some bad vibrations in your drivetrain, you are more likely to snap a single roller than a double roller. Double rollers are not much more money than a single (Maybe $20 compared to $10 from Cloyes), and they offer much more protection. If you opted for a gear drive,




There is zero chance you will snap or stretch a chain (stretching throws off cam timing btw, and also weakens the chain, causing it to break down the road). But these are also more expensive, and if you get the noisy kind, it might get annoying after a while, not to mention that some guys on here report that noisy gears will trip your knock sensor in Computer Controlled cars, which will retard your timing.


Again, double roller is as strong as you would ever need at a very affordable price.


EDIT: One more thing btw, if you get a double roller chain, make sure it will fit under your timing chain cover. I got a double roller, and it was the wrong part number for my car and would not clear the cover. I just kept the single roller in for now. Make sure you get the set that is for your year application.