[Ecotec] Double row timing chain worth it?

[maldotcom2]

Is it neccessary to use a double row timing chain when using a bigger cam/heavy duty springs? Has anyone had any experience with a single row not being sufficient? I'm just wondering whether the money would be better spent elsewhere as the double row sets are 5 times the cost of a single row set.

 

[acarmody]

5 times the cost???? Your buying either the wrong item or at the wrong place.

EDIT: Found the price, I paid $136 for my Rollermaster double row. You don't really HAVE to use a double row, but it is good insurance if you going a wild cam with tough springs. Just remember if using a double row you have to remove the balancer shaft drive gears.

 

[383 hatch]

It's not the cam thats the problem, it's the heavy duty springs. The tensioner doesn't take very kindly to heavy duty springs and they normally wear out fairly quickly which generally results in a blocked oil pick up when the bits of the tensioner end up in the sump. When you use a double row chain, you don't run the tensioner anymore as the double row chain is tight without it.

Get a double row, delete the balance shaft and be happy. It's certainly cheap insurance IMO.

 

[maldotcom2]

Acarmody where did you buy it from? I have seen them for $300+.

 

[VSSECO]

I was under the impression that the tensioner was still supposed to stay with the double chain... even though it doesn't look like it needs it

 

[VSSECO]

I was under the impression that the tensioner was still supposed to stay with the double chain... even though it doesn't look like it needs it

 

[383 hatch]

No, you do away with the tensioner. Removing the tensioner is one of the main reasons to go with the double row.

 

[VSSECO]

I threw a double chain in mine last month as part of a big engine freshen up, and haven't started it back up yet. Should I pull the timing case again and remove the tensioner??? Is there any benefit, I mean apart from no tensioner wear? Quieter?

 

[383 hatch]

The benefit is that the tensioner won't fall to bits, they're weak as piss with heavier valve springs....Are you running heavy valve springs?

 

[VSSECO]

No i'm running standard springs with YT rollers. I went right through the engine and replaced anything that I could see potentially failing in the future and I figured that if I had to buy a timing chain at all then I may as well buy a double row chain, I wanted to disable the balance shaft anyway. So it's all back together with a new tensioner in there and now I'm shattered I left it in but dont really feel like pulling it apart again.