Thread: Timing Chain Slack

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I've seen some prior discussions about how much slack there should or shouldn't be with a timing chain, but I'm wondering if a chain can wear much in 4,000 miles. On my SBC, ZZ4 crate engine, I can move the chain about 1/4 inch side to side, on one side only. Normal? Or shall I replace it? Not familiar enough to know if a new chain will have the same movement. Thanks for any help.

Doesn't sound bad to me at all..I could be wrong though..

If you have the cover off, and you have slack.. isn't a new chain about $20 ?

just sayin...

unless I was dirt broke, I'd probably replace a chain with 1/4" or more slack.

the new single row roller chain set are some what loose from the start you can buy a new chain and see if it helps it may not be much different then what you have or buy a better chain set .if it is abit loose it got going to hurt much could change cam timming abit it not going to fall off

You need to turn the crank left and right to see how many degrees of slack you have.
The way to do this is to watch the rotor bug while turning the crank.
Turn the crank to the left untill the rotor bug moves ,then see how many degrees it turns the other way untill the rotor bug moves....................you will need to find the spec on how much is acceptable,but this is how you come up with that number or degree of slack.

That slack sounds about right.

Thanks for the help. A new chain is low bucks, but just unsure if it would be any tighter, given that this one only has 4,000 miles on it.

Originally Posted by roofcam

Thanks for the help. A new chain is low bucks, but just unsure if it would be any tighter, given that this one only has 4,000 miles on it.

well no they are abit loose from gm and if you buy a chain from the parts store could stretch out that far or more and quality could bad if a cheap chain

Probably doesn't apply to a new crate engine, but align boring a block causes the timing chain to have more slack in it. Doesn't seem to hurt anything.