So it was the timing chain. Yes, things could have gotten a whole lot worse if the timing chain let go.

 

Just glad you found it, That could have taken out everything , in other words catastrophic failure. The groove in the inner link maybe a oiling groove since it floats on the trunnion . The new engine that im building right now LS3 442cid. Im getting away from the double roller chain , I have the single roller Cloyes hex a just C5R chain setting here waiting to go in.

 

Everyone's recommending the C5R chain but I can't seem to find one with gears. Link please. Either that or Hinson just came out with the C7R chain but they don't offer it with gears either. Don't need an adjustable gear as the cam was ground +2 already.

Thanks again.

 

For reference it was this Comp Cams unit that broke: http://www.summitracing.com/parts/cca-7102

 

I am going to use the C5R chain. I thought you use the regular single tooth gears?

 

They use stock gears. I'm running a c5r chain and factory gears on my car. Hinson c7r chain is probably good too but haven't seen or heard anything about it. Hinson is a good place though.

 

I got the C7R chain from Hinson and stock gears and dampener from Brian Tooley.

 

Lucky you caught it when you did. ( This is the exact same timing setup on your engine, imagine that coincidence) I was not so lucky, had no warning signs at all and it all let loose with one quick blip of the throttle. Engine died immediately like you flicked a light switch off, never made any weird sounds or mechanical clashing at all. Coasted around a corner in neutral and tried to restart engine thinking it just died for some odd reason, then heard the no compression sound of the rotating assembly spinning too easily. I knew then I had probably broken a timing chain, here is the carnage in the front cover! On a positive note: only bent 8 valves with no other damage. I think I bent the valves on the restart attempt only spinning at starter speed