I just snapped my timing chain and when it broke it cracked open the cover also. I did a search and found most of the info I wanted. My question is I plan on keeping the stock waterpump and am doing a cam maybe next year so is a stock replacement enough or should I spend the extra $$ and get a LT4HD? Also where and how much for a new cover?? Thanx.

Brad

 

I hope you didn't do much damage to the valvetrain or pistons. In your case I would definitely go with something stronger especially after what just happened to your stocker. The two main choices to retain the stock pump is the LT4 or LT4 extreme duty, the 2nd one being the strongest. The best price you can get on those would be from Jason Cromer or another GM discount part supplier. The ED chain is $199 from him, not sure on the cover but he can get some of the best prices around.

 

Thanx Greg!! Looks like the LT4ED it is. One other question.... How do I know if I messed the valvetrain or pistons up? Should I just put it back together with a new chain and hope for the best? I really don't want to dig into the motor yet.....

Bye the way nice times!!

 

How exactly did the timing chain go, during normal driving or where you racing it near redline etc... I've never broken a timing chain in a car but I know it can cause some major damage to valves and pistons. Sometimes people get lucky and no valvetrain damage occurs other times it can bend several valves and dent or crack pistons. You may be able to have a compression test done to see if all the valves are ok. Either that or pull the heads to see. I would do one of those two things before just putting a new chain in and starting it again. You may want to wait for a reply from someone here who's actually broken a chain to see what happened and what they did, these are just my suggestions, again I've never been through this.

Thanks on the times, I hope to cut around a 1/2 sec off them soon

 

I broke the timing chain at about 3500 rpm. I ran it hard once up to about 90 and it ran fine. I turned around and ran it a second time and about half way through first gear it just shut down. I didn't hear anything ping or shatter so I'm hopeing everything is okay. I tried starting it again after it shut down and the bottom end turns over fine. Hopefully everything is okay...if not it's going to be bigger and badder.....

Has anyone else ever broken one of these??

 

It's not a good idea to keep cranking it over without the chain. If the cam stopped in the wrong position with a valve down at the wrong time it's going to cause some damage. You actually need to have the new chain back on there to be able to turn it over and test for compression im pretty sure, otherwise some valves are going to be stuck open when you try to test it. I would have an experienced mechanic take a look at it if you are unsure how to test it. Hope it's ok.