Thread: Timing Chain Slack-How much is OK?

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Does this look acceptable...?


Its a double roller on a 454 and it is currently rotated on the stand sideways in these photos.

at least get a new chain

I wouldn't run it. While you're in there it just makes sense to change it out IMO.

Don

Yep, put in a new timing set. With it torn down this far, why take a chance?

I'll vote to make it unanimous - change it. A sloppy timing chain can make the engine hard to start when it's hot. Also, keep in mind that the cam timing is changing back and forth while its running and when the cam moves, so moves the distributor making it impossible to give it a good tuneup. One last thing: In a worst-case scenario, if that sloppy old chain breaks, there's a good chance it will get wadded up between the crank and cam gears and break the block. I saw it happen once back when I was racing stock cars. It broke the crank, the cam, and the front main web in the block.

thx guys, I planned to change it, a buddy and I were discussing it's life expectancy...