Generation III Internal Engine 1997-2006 LS1 | LS6
Sponsored by:
Sponsored by:

Timing chain slack...

Thread Tools
 
Search this Thread
 
Old Sep 9, 2009 | 08:41 AM
  #1  
Matts94Z28's Avatar
Thread Starter
TECH Fanatic
iTrader: (6)
 
Joined: Aug 2006
Posts: 1,213
Likes: 0
From: Charleston, S.C.
Default Timing chain slack...

This chain HAS to be worn out pretty bad. The car had an MS4 in it for a good while, i found this when I put my SSHT in the block this morning. Guess I need to order a new chain.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3VoyDHZ-N-k
Reply
Old Sep 9, 2009 | 09:14 AM
  #2  
Old Geezer's Avatar
TECH Senior Member
iTrader: (3)
 
Joined: Jun 2004
Posts: 5,639
Likes: 71
From: GA, USA
Default

The chain in the 15K 6.0 I have just taken down,[Bone stock], has significant slack.. Similar to yours, maybe not as much. Enuf to warrant a new chain, tho.
I'm wondering if these engines need a mod to put more lube onto the chain, or if the chain quality goes along w/ the other "cheapo" items??
Reply
Old Sep 9, 2009 | 09:23 AM
  #3  
1badWS6's Avatar
TECH Resident
iTrader: (32)
 
Joined: Nov 2005
Posts: 905
Likes: 0
From: Chicago, IL
Default

Yeah there is supposed to be a little bit of slack on the chain. I don't think there is supposed to be that much though. That is a little too much.
Reply
Old Sep 9, 2009 | 09:34 AM
  #4  
wicknewman's Avatar
On The Tree
15 Year Member
iTrader: (13)
 
Joined: Aug 2006
Posts: 164
Likes: 5
From: Schertz, TX
Default

You should at least pick up an LS2 chain from Scoggin Dickey as a replacement.

http://www.sdparts.com/product/12586...mingChain.aspx

Nicer chain than the stock LS1 and is very affordable. Depending on your needs SDPC also has chains for more demanding builds as well.
Reply
Old Sep 9, 2009 | 09:59 AM
  #5  
Rickenbackerman's Avatar
On The Tree
iTrader: (1)
 
Joined: Jun 2008
Posts: 178
Likes: 0
From: Laurel, MD
Default

I just installed an LS2 chain along with my SS-HT last night, and the NEW chain has almost as much slack as the one in the vid above... not sure what to do yet.
Reply
Old Sep 9, 2009 | 10:49 AM
  #6  
5.3LJimmy's Avatar
10 Second Club
20 Year Member
iTrader: (10)
 
Joined: Jun 2004
Posts: 2,279
Likes: 1
From: Napoleonville, LA
Default

There is supposed to be a fair amount of slack due to the fact that aluminum expands quite a bit when it gets hot. It kind of sucks that the iron blocks are stuck using the same chain, but that's how GM did it.

And what is a SSHT?
Reply
Old Sep 9, 2009 | 11:11 AM
  #7  
Matts94Z28's Avatar
Thread Starter
TECH Fanatic
iTrader: (6)
 
Joined: Aug 2006
Posts: 1,213
Likes: 0
From: Charleston, S.C.
Default

Installed a Cloyes LS2 chain just now, still sorta slack, but nothing like it was. It was probably a wise $30 bucks on my end. BTW, SSHT is the Street Sweeper High Torque grind from flowtech.
Reply
Old Sep 9, 2009 | 11:57 AM
  #8  
Red99TA's Avatar
TECH Addict
20 Year Member
iTrader: (11)
 
Joined: Oct 2003
Posts: 2,442
Likes: 6
From: Topeka, KS
Default

For how cheap a new LS2 chain is I don't see why anyone wouldn't throw a new one on there while the cam is out. I reused the crank gear, put on a new modified (adjustable) GM cam gear with a new LS2 chain and I thought it had quite a bit of slack but not quite as much as your video shows.

Using the CTE of aluminum with a 200 deg F rise (being conservative) shows an expansion of about 0.0027" per inch of the block. I can't remember how far above the crank gear the cam sits but if it's 6" then there's 0.016" of growth total where the cam moves further away from the crank theoretically. This doesn't sound like much but it will take some slack out of the chain.
Reply
LS1 Tech Stories

The Best V8 Stories One Small Block at Time

story-0

Amazing '71 Camaro Restomod Is Modern Muscle Car Under the Skin

 Verdad Gallardo
story-1

6 Common C5 Corvette Failures and What's Involved In Repairing Them

 Pouria Savadkouei
story-2

Retro Modern Bandit Pontiac Trans AM Comes With Burt Reynolds' Autograph

 Verdad Gallardo
story-3

Top 10 Greatest Cadillac V Series Performance Models Ever, Ranked

 Pouria Savadkouei
story-4

Top 10 Most Powerful Chevy Trucks Ever Made!

 
story-5

Hennessey's New Supercharged Silverado ZR2 Has 700 HP

 Verdad Gallardo
story-6

Coachbuilt N2A Anteros Is an LS2-Powered C6 Corvette In Italian Clothes

 Verdad Gallardo
story-7

Awesome K5 Blazer Restomod Comes With C7 Corvette Power

 Verdad Gallardo
story-8

10 Camaros You Should Never Buy

 
story-9

10 LS Engine Myths That Refuse to Die

 Verdad Gallardo
Old Sep 9, 2009 | 12:14 PM
  #9  
Matts94Z28's Avatar
Thread Starter
TECH Fanatic
iTrader: (6)
 
Joined: Aug 2006
Posts: 1,213
Likes: 0
From: Charleston, S.C.
Default

Originally Posted by Red99TA
For how cheap a new LS2 chain is I don't see why anyone wouldn't throw a new one on there while the cam is out. I reused the crank gear, put on a new modified (adjustable) GM cam gear with a new LS2 chain and I thought it had quite a bit of slack but not quite as much as your video shows.

Using the CTE of aluminum with a 200 deg F rise (being conservative) shows an expansion of about 0.0027" per inch of the block. I can't remember how far above the crank gear the cam sits but if it's 6" then there's 0.016" of growth total where the cam moves further away from the crank theoretically. This doesn't sound like much but it will take some slack out of the chain.

Thanks! One of the best answers I have gotten out of this place lately. Most guys would say "A big gosh dern cam el do that to ya".
Reply




All times are GMT -5. The time now is 01:42 AM.

story-0
Amazing '71 Camaro Restomod Is Modern Muscle Car Under the Skin

Slideshow: This heavily modified 1971 Camaro mixes classic muscle car styling with a fifth-generation Camaro interior and modern LS3 power.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-05-12 18:06:42


VIEW MORE
story-1
6 Common C5 Corvette Failures and What's Involved In Repairing Them

Slideshow: From wobbling harmonic balancers to failed EBCMs, these are the issues that define long-term C5 ownership and what repairs typically involve.

By Pouria Savadkouei | 2026-05-07 18:44:57


VIEW MORE
story-2
Retro Modern Bandit Pontiac Trans AM Comes With Burt Reynolds' Autograph

Slideshow: A modern Camaro transformed into a retro icon, this limited-run "Bandit" build blends nostalgia with brute force in a way few revivals manage.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-04-21 13:57:02


VIEW MORE
story-3
Top 10 Greatest Cadillac V Series Performance Models Ever, Ranked

Slideshow: Cadillac didn't just crash the high-performance luxury vehicle party, it showed up loud, supercharged, and occasionally a little unhinged...

By Pouria Savadkouei | 2026-04-16 10:05:15


VIEW MORE
story-4
Top 10 Most Powerful Chevy Trucks Ever Made!

Slideshow: Top ten most powerful Chevy trucks ever made

By | 2026-03-25 09:22:26


VIEW MORE
story-5
Hennessey's New Supercharged Silverado ZR2 Has 700 HP

Slideshow: Hennessey has turned the Silverado ZR2 into a 700-hp off-road monster with supercharged V8 power and a limited production run.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-03-24 18:57:52


VIEW MORE
story-6
Coachbuilt N2A Anteros Is an LS2-Powered C6 Corvette In Italian Clothes

Slideshow: A one-off sports car that looks like a vintage Italian exotic-but hides a C6 Corvette underneath-just sold for the price of a new mid-engine Corvette.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-03-23 18:53:41


VIEW MORE
story-7
Awesome K5 Blazer Restomod Comes With C7 Corvette Power

Slideshow: A heavily reworked 1972 K5 Blazer swaps its off-road roots for a low-slung street-focused build with modern V8 power.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-03-09 18:08:45


VIEW MORE
story-8
10 Camaros You Should Never Buy

Slideshow: There are thousands of used Camaros on the market but we think you should avoid these 10

By | 2026-02-17 17:09:30


VIEW MORE
story-9
10 LS Engine Myths That Refuse to Die

Slideshows: Which one of these myths do you believe?

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-01-28 18:10:11


VIEW MORE