I am in the process of putting the engine back together when I got to the cam sprocket I have slop still in the chain. I bought a new ls2 chain but reused the crank and cam gears. now is this because I didnt purchase new gears. Or, is this normal. when I disassembled it I thought I had chain stretch, thats why I got the new chain. The crank can move a little in each direction before the cam moves. I know on small blocks there is no movement, but on ls1's I dont know. Do metal gears wear that much? Thanks for any help in advance.

 

Interesting...I didn't have any slack at all when I swapped to the ls2 timing chain. Is this a fairly common issue for others?

 

I have the same issue but I installed a brand new LS2 timing set (new chain,cam gear and crank gear). I got the cam gear dot to line up with the crank gear dot. I torqued the bolts on the cam. Now when I move the crank shaft either way there is slack and makes the dots not line up. Is this normal or am I doing something wrong?

 

So now I am confused. one member has no slack and another has the same problem as mine. we both have 98's. Is there something about 98's that makes the timing chain slack. The ls2 and the ls1 chains are the same right! Squirt11 has a 2000 block and no slack. Does anyone know the answer for this one? Maybe I need to contact someone at GM to find the answer.
thanks for any help in advance.

 

there should be a tiny bit of slack on the side left side while the turning side should be tight, like the way the motor turns...

 

I have a 98 as well and had the same issue. The slack in my setup was still within spec, so i let it be.
You want a little slack you dont want super tight. But not sloppy.

 

yeah when i installed my ls6 ported oil pump and the new ls2 timing chain there was a tad bit of slack but the cam gear and the crank turned in unison. and now that the car is back together it runs perfect

 

thanks for the help. so some slack is ok, but does anyone know the spec. it is not in the book I have. I have included 2 pics to show the travel of the chain with the one side tight. it really seems to have a lot of slack. what do you guys think? It seems to be the same as when I took it apart and I wasnt having any trouble before I shut the engine down.

 

Hey guys. I just read further down the posts and found an ls2 tming chain post. Many people are having this issue even with new aftermarket chains. So I guess this is the norm for a stock setup. I am going to degree the cam and make sure everything lines up in the correct rotation. thanks everyone for your help.

 

yeah i looked at your picture and mine was pretty much the same when i installed mine. as long as it doesnt jump sprockets when you turn the motor over by had you'll be fine.

it has to be a little loose or you'd never be able to put the chain around the cam gear.

 

Thats about how loose mine was when I put it on about 3 wks ago. So far no issues with slipping, I took the car up to 130 several times this past wkend too.

 

Thats about what i had as well. 5k since no issues. Ill look up the spec for you and post it up.