Rollmaster chain "stretch"?

[mommasGN]

My Rollmaster chain has slightly more that 1/4 inch of slop. Engine was built in 2020 has about 40 track passes and maybe 8000 road miles. I have my timing cover off to fix a coolant leak,, and of course check the chain........ and its very sloppy. It is already the .002 oversize kit. I built this engine and know it was not floppy when i installed.

Can these chains stretch like this or is it possible the gears are that worn, creating the slop? I went over every gear and link on the chain and i dont see any signs on wear.

 

[Chuck Leeper]

Hold it "sideways". Drooping?
Oversize? You mean .002 under to compensate for line bore?

 

[mommasGN]

Hold it "sideways". Drooping?
Oversize? You mean .002 under to compensate for line bore?

I'll check the drooping holding it sideways when i get home.

Yes "oversize" to accommodate for the line-bore.

This is from the rollmaster tech pages.

Oversized gear sets are available for align honed/bored engines. The compensation is NOT in the chain itself, but in the two gears. The gears are larger diameter to take up the slack that would otherwise be in the chain. If you need an oversize you will need an entire gear set. Replacement chains are the same wether the gears are standard size or oversized. Also note that the gears can not be mixed and matched, due to the phasing of the teeth and chain.

 

[BEATAV8]

Yes they stretch & wear in. I keep an assortment of new & used RollMaster parts in my stash. I’ve been known to set up my timing set using an old chain with new sprockets just to minimize the amount of slop that’s coming. The theory being that the already stretched chain won’t stretch much more, or will stretch much less than a new chain.

 

[mommasGN]

OK Chuck, holding the chain straight out, it droops right at 1/2 inch.

 

[mommasGN]

Yes they stretch & wear in. I keep an assortment of new & used RollMaster parts in my stash. I’ve been known to set up my timing set using an old chain with new sprockets just to minimize the amount of slop that’s coming. The theory being that the already stretched chain won’t stretch much more, or will stretch much less than a new chain.

Thats an idea running through my head. Use this chain with a new set of sprockets, maybe a .004 or .005 oversize. I'm assuming if i buy a new chain, it will stretch and end up the same way.

This one wasn't making any noise or causing any issues.......i would just prefer a chain with no slop.

 

[Chuck Leeper]

Yrs ago, there was a thread about chain stretch.
Some discussion about the makeup of the rollers, etc.
A ? was "Are the rollers made with seamless tube or welded tube"?
The premise being that the cheaper/welded tube would wear internally due to the weld "ridge" being worn down, thus a loose fit.
The discussion also included some chatter about single vs dbl roller design.
Here's 1 of many discussions. This one 20 yrs back.

M

Thread 'Timing Chain Recommendations'

Sep 2, 2009

I know this has been beat to death, but with time comes changes. I know Rollmaster was the one to get but recently I heard their "new" (ever since they got bought out) timing chains are under par and had some failures. Dont know it this is on all Turbo Buick engines or just stage II engines, but either way I would like some info. What timing chains are highly recommended and durable? I have a stock 109 block and looking to upgrade timing chain. Also what else besides the gasket is needed (ie cam buttonm etc)? Im pretty sure I do not need a tensioner right? Thanks guys!

• my1stgn
• Replies: 18
• Forum: General Turbo Buick Tech

Another.

Double Roller Timing Chains

Here's a little heads up for anyone who is running a double roller chain and also installed the stock nylon tensioner with it. This is from John Spina owner of Caspers Electronics & the AC Cobra kit car with the Turbo Buick Motor. By John Spina (Gnvenom) on Thursday, October 04, 2001 - 06:23...

www.turbobuicks.com