Timing chain cover

[Young Ed]

This thread posted in December 2009 nearly seven years ago. Graybeard was my mentor and he was very patient. Now I'm on my second 218 and just pulled the drive shaft pulley. This thread was helpful again.  Pulley is OFF!  I somewhat hate to pull that timing chain cover yet it must removed and that chain checked.   

 

Chain cover is off and there is a 1/4" slack in the chain.  NOT GOOD! Got to check the specks. Sure hope the chain did not run loose too long or those sprocket teeth may be sharp and that means $$$$$. 

 

Teeth all look good, non broke, no gold caps, none are cupped or sharp, and all have a nice rectangular top. So now the issue is the chain. $65 from VPW but will shop around. 

Question, is it possible to put in a half link?  

What are the specs for the chain? Did you determine 1/4" is too much?

[ggdad1951]

This thread posted in December 2009 nearly seven years ago. Graybeard was my mentor and he was very patient. Now I'm on my second 218 and just pulled the drive shaft pulley. This thread was helpful again.  Pulley is OFF!  I somewhat hate to pull that timing chain cover yet it must removed and that chain checked.   

 

Chain cover is off and there is a 1/4" slack in the chain.  NOT GOOD! Got to check the specks. Sure hope the chain did not run loose too long or those sprocket teeth may be sharp and that means $$$$$. 

 

Teeth all look good, non broke, no gold caps, none are cupped or sharp, and all have a nice rectangular top. So now the issue is the chain. $65 from VPW but will shop around. 

Question, is it possible to put in a half link?  

 

by the nature of chains..you can put in links, not half links...I'd be very suprised if you or anyone says you could.

[Merle Coggins]

It would be wise to buy a matching set of sprockets and chain. Different manufacturers of these items often are not compatible with each other. Why try to pinch pennies on a critical component of your engine?

[pflaming]

Why try to pinch pennies on a critical component of your engine?

 

 

 Timing Chain Vehicle Type: ALL (wide) -1 inch wide double roller Part #CC601765 $89 •

 Inner Timing Chain Plate Gasket - Vehicle Type:ALL Part #CC695441 $4.50 • 

Timing Cover Gasket Vehicle Type:ALL Part #CC600752 $4.50 •

Timing Cover Seal Vehicle Type:ALL Part #CC891448 (early) / #CC1088602(late) $9

 

•1” wide double roller Vehicle Type: ALL Part #CC601757 $65

•1” wide double roller Vehicle Type: ALL Part #CC601760 $45

 

NOT PENNIES! . . . . .  TOTAL: $218 ouch!  Vintage Power Wagon Prices

 

So then the question remains, is 1/4" too much? On my truck I only had 1/8". Specs say change at 3/4" slack, measured between the sprockets on the bottom of the chain. So now what I now need are a couple of gaskets. Some days are better than others. 

Edited April 20, 2016 by pflaming

[Brent B3B]

Hi Paul, doesn't page 429 say 1/2" slack? http://dodgepilothouseclub.org/know/manual/manual.htm

maybe I am misunderstanding......... just trying to help

[pflaming]

It certainly does! So my 1/4" is within tolerance. Whew, thought you had me for a while. TKS. This is my timing gear. I should have shown the slack at the bottom.

Edited April 22, 2016 by pflaming

[Dave72dt]

That design of chain does not have half links available. If the chain was worn enough to accept a half link, it wouldn't fit the sprockets correctly and would throw the timing between the cam and crank off. All chains have bit of slack in them. I read somewhere that a timing chain is held sideways and checked for droop. That may be more relevant with the newer engines that come with automatic tensioners. A 1/4 inch may be what you'd find on a new chain after it's been run for a few minutes.