Timing Chain
Thread Starter
Teching In
Joined: Oct 2010
Posts: 31
Likes: 0
From: Oklahoma City, Oklahoma
Timing Chain I was just wondering if the timing chain ever needs to be replaced, and if it does how often. I have asked many people but get different answers so I thought I would ask on here. Thanks.
it varies depending on what you've done and what you're planning on doing. they do stretch over time, especially if you've modded or have higher miles. I grabbed an LS2 chain when I was refreshing my 5.3L. It was under $50 and really no reason not to at that price, especially if you're doing any other upgrades
Thread Starter
Teching In
Joined: Oct 2010
Posts: 31
Likes: 0
From: Oklahoma City, Oklahoma
Ok that's cool. I just rolled over 176,000 miles on it. It used to be an old hiway patrol car and then 2 people that didn't know how to take care of it owned it. So I'm assuming that it would need one. And I'm planning on doing an engine swap on it next year if not this year. How hard is it to change the timing chain?
Honestly just wait it out. There are plenty of old pushrod motors where the chain outlasted the motor well over 100k, 200k and so on. In fact on another forum there is a fellow with a 5.3 Silverado with over 500k that has never had the heads off, never done the chain. Timing chain sets now are all steel. Back in the 80s GM went through a period where they used nylon gears, and the teeth would wear out in the first 100K. Not a problem nowdays though.
There are rare cases where they snap, but that usually manifests itself earlier in the motor's life. Significant stretch may throw off the cam timing and affect idle quality and power output.
If you're going to take the motor apart, do the chain since it's cheap. But don't take a motor apart just to do the chain, not worth the effort.
There are rare cases where they snap, but that usually manifests itself earlier in the motor's life. Significant stretch may throw off the cam timing and affect idle quality and power output.
If you're going to take the motor apart, do the chain since it's cheap. But don't take a motor apart just to do the chain, not worth the effort.
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Yah, if you're not already in there, leave it alone, it's fine. When you are in there; like when you do the engine swap or rebuild, install an LS2 chain.
TECH Resident
Joined: Sep 2009
Posts: 859
Likes: 2
From: Frozen Tundra, WI
There's nothing petty or judgemental about facts. The fact is that real race cars have a clutch. Don't get me started; drag racing is a mechanics race, set the car up, put monkey in driver's seat & train him to hit the gas just before the light goes green.
TECH Resident
Joined: Sep 2009
Posts: 859
Likes: 2
From: Frozen Tundra, WI
You are 100% correct with that statement.
It is just too bad that you are expressing an opinion about how "real" race cars are equipped and that if you don't have a clutch you don't have a "real" race car
...definitely opinion
I will stop here because it could get out of control
It is fun to banter a little though
It is just too bad that you are expressing an opinion about how "real" race cars are equipped and that if you don't have a clutch you don't have a "real" race car
...definitely opinion I will stop here because it could get out of control
It is fun to banter a little though
