What are your opinions on timing chains? Should a double roller timing chain be used and how much of a difference does it make on an engine that isn't highly modified?

What are some brands that are ok to use?

 

There are double roller and "true" double roller. The true double roller actually has rollers on the chain. Cheapos don't.

The wafer-style chain is fine for stock.

When do you need a better chain? When you go into big cams and VERY stiff valve springs.

Brands? No idea. Melling? Cloyes? Guys?

 

Hands down Cloyes. Timing chain quality isn't just something you determine by how much spring pressure you have. If you want an engine to last, put a good chain in it.

 

Make sure you remove the spacer behind the cam gear.. A Cloyes cam gear and maybe others come's with a spacer machined right onto the back of the gear,at least the one in my truck did.... so if the the original spacer is not removed, it will push your cam back into your block about 3/16th inch...Causes a whole list of problems.

 

Ok thanks on the heads up.

 

My 390FE is pretty much all Edelbrock components. The timing chain set is no exception. Part #7808. Good quality product, but only recommended for Edelbrock or stock cams.

OBTW...they are made by Cloyes.

biz

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1976 F150 LWB 390FE NP435 NP205 4x4 3.50s

 

I am going with rollermaster for the timing chain.

Tmod

 

Are there any opinions about the summit brand of parts. I have heard mixed reviews.

 

Summit=junk. I ordered a cloyes true roller from them a while back and they goofed and sent a summit pile of junk instead. Every link was stamped taiwan and looked like junk. Ended up returning it and getting the cloyes for the price of the summit chain ($70 savings). Has anybody ever bought anything "summit brand" and had it be quality? They're like barely-scrape-by parts that you're forced to run only when you're completely broke and have to have something running.

 

Cloyes Tru-Roller. Nothing else is even close. When I ran Speed-Pro I could have the Speed-Pro timing sets for free - - and I still went out and paid for the Cloyes stuff. I like them that much.

 

Does summit sell the cloyes?

Nevermind I found them. The reason I asked about summit is because I have some friends who have used their timing sets with good results.

 

Yes, I have bought Summit branded parts that were quality.

 

Hi from australia just reading your threads im rebuilding a 361 ft (truck) motor
i use a melling oil pump and timing chain hope this help you