Fireballmatt15

I am wondering what the benefits of each are and which to use? I would assume the double roller would be stronger but I have read numerous threads about clearance issues and issues with belt alignment afterwards from the crank pulley being spaced out and issues with getting the pickup tube to fit.
I would settle for something like a single roller rollmaster chain but I’ve also read people saying that higher spring pressures can break a single chain. I am currently running cam motions .660 springs, my seat pressure is somewhere around 150 lbs and open pressure is around 380 lbs. Would a single chain work in my scenario or should I go for a double roller setup?

G Atsma

The generic LS2-style single roller chain is plenty for most LS applications.
The need for double rollers originated in the Gen I SBC where the cam not only was grinding against flat tappets, it ALSO had a distributor (not a big load) and oil pump (much bigger load) to turn. A much higher torque load under those conditions!

grinder11

iTrader: (1)

I agree. I did run a double roller on my Darton 427 back in 2005-2006. The only advantage to running a double would be if you got a bad/defective new chain. At least you have a second one. But Gary is right, they have proven to be unnecessary on the 3rd gen SBCs...

Che70velle

iTrader: (6)

Single chain is all that is needed. I’ve built a few solid roller LS engines with big valve springs…500lb over the nose…and only use single chain, quality billet timing sets.

Che70velle

iTrader: (6)

Dont forget the fuel pump also G on pre-‘87 GM engines….Yes those chains were doing a lot of work.

G Atsma

Good call! Yeah I was just thinking of the spiral gear at the tail end. But the fuel pump would add drag to the whole load.
Thanks man!

IGN-1A

Hi, I have "tested" Timing Chains by using a machine that would simulate a crankshaft gear and a cam gear with a turning motion.
I found that the German made Single chain was the strongest. The double-row chain would break in a communication link.
Lance

01CamaroSSTx

iTrader: (3)

I installed a Cloyes double roller in the 2014 LSX build. It comes with spacers to offset the oil pump and no issues installing a factory or aftermarket pickup tube. You will have to do some minor clearancing to the boss for the cam position sensor on the timing chain cover but that's about it.

LilJayV10

iTrader: (39)

I think that line of thinking was carried over from the SBC days.

Back in the day, a double roller was an upgrade over the single flat link style factory chain that would stretch as soon as you started it.

Now, not so much. As mentioned, the cam isn't driving a distributer, oil pump, flat tappet lifters and a mechanical fuel pump.

The quality of todays single chain is no comparison to the single flat link either.

Fireballmatt15

I ended up settling for a roll master adjustable single roller set. I determined my spring pressures weren’t extreme enough to warrant the extra work of installing a double roller.

grinder11

iTrader: (1)

Nice catch! That got by me, too. Been a long time since I've seen, or thought about, a mechanical fuel pump.

grinder11

iTrader: (1)

Roll Master has worked well for me. I'm sure you'll be satisfied with it.....

cula8r

iTrader: (2)

3 years now using the Rollmaster single roller with Iwis chain, torrington bearing.