I was finishing up the bottom end of my 355 LT1 tonight, and got a little puzzled when I installed the timing chain. I had the block line bored because of a spun main bearing. I specifically asked my machinist if it would result in timing chain slop. He assured me that they didn't line bore it enough to affect the chain. My chain set is a brand new Lunati set, which is a "link belt" design...not a roller chain.
It looks to me that there's way too much slop in the chain. Has anyone else had an LT1 block line bored? If so, what chain did you use?

Thanks,
Frank

 

you may be hosed on that one.

http://www.cloyes.com/images/CloyesH...rmCat-2002.pdf

I would call cloyes tomorrow and see if they have a set for you. This catalog is from 2002. They do mention their true roller sets fit better (tighter) than stock.

 

My block has been line honed a couple of times now. After doing lots of measuring and consulting with the Cloyes catalog, I needed a timing chain .010" shorter. There's only one size shorter than that. Chain is nice and tight now.

 

There is also a timing chain tensioner set from Comp. It will correct any slop in the TC you have....

Right now I've only found one TC that I like for a LT1. www.progear.com has a set that is really nice with a torrington bearing and adjustment in 2 deg intervals.

Bret

 

Link no good. some marketing firm.

 

Try www.progearweb.com

 

Go to an electric water pump and you'll have a number of much more inexpensive choices.

-Mindgame

 

What do you throw on LT motors man? That Pro Gear deal has made me the happiest so far.

Bret

 

What do you think of the Rollmasters?

 

Just an elec waterpump required for 95-97 cars;
elec waterpump, vented opti, timing cover, and a new dowel pin for 93-94 cars
It starts to add up for some of us.

-brent

 

I like the adjustable ones like the Hex A Just, too bad they don't come in 1 piece rear main seal versions so we could use them...... SA Gear and Comp have a T I T S one for the 2 piece SBC that rocks.

I wanted to bust out the CNC machine to fix the SA Gear stuff for LT stuff but nobody will pay $200 for a REAL Timing Chain that will save them Hours at degreeing the cam in perfectly.

Use junk a few times and use a good one the rest of the time and you remember why you did it that way the first time.

BTW look up NY on the Pro Gear website for dealers ;-)

Bret

 

my engine was line bored and i also bought the lunati chain with the same outcome. i bought an oversized gear from more performance and its nice and snug now. heres the link oversized gear

 

You just helped me more than you can imagine . Thank you very much for the insight. This is one of the things that make these message boards so great.

Frank