Ok, the LS1/LS6 engines originally used a timing chain damper (88958607) bolted between the crank and cam sprockets to reduce chain whip at high rpms.

The LS2/LS7 engines brought this back (12588670) as well.

Mopar guys have several types of Timing Chain Tensioners (P5007709) which is used in place of the thrust plate and is designed to take up chain slack and dampen occilations.


So my question is... is there a LT1-friendly version of this out there (outside of a complete belt-drive high-$$$ version of course)?

 

Not that I've ever seen.

 

I don't think its needed in a LT or SBC because the oil pump is driven from the back of the cam which acts as a damper. The belt drive system would be a nesesity if your using a external pump/dry sump.

 

Yeah, I'm pretty much convinced it doesn't exist. If multiple live.com and google searches come up empty I'm pretty certain no one's ever seen the need to dampen a SBC timing chain.

Mopar ones are pretty common, as are the LSx, and DOHC V8 dampers... it seems that anyone with a raised cam height, and hense a longer timing chain use these to prevent the whipping chain from wearing against the timing cover but it's really not used in a SBC/LT1 design.

A search found the Toyota 22RE uses large pastic ones that apparantly cradle the crank sprocket and are known to break down if the engine overheats... I wonder if the LSx damper has a similar issue?

The strangest thing I saw was a VW timing chain damper than looked like a big bolt with a bearing surface on the shaft... interesting design.

Anyway... it looks like this is an non-issue with GenI and II SBC.