Harmonic balancer/ timing chain

[skip hartline]

Good morning all, for those that have had to replace their harmonic balancer for one reason or another what has proven to be the best and the right
one the first time. I know it seems simple but there are a lot of options out there and I want to have the right one when I go to change out the crank
seal. Been reading that the double roller chain is the best option for timing chain and will out live me. The paper work from the PO lists the Melling
40409 was installed when he rebuilt the motor. I'm going to check it through the fuel pump mount hole for slack. What has been the experience with
double roller timing chains out there. As usual, Thanks.
Skip Hartline
--
74 Canyon Lands, FiTech,
3.7 FD, Manny Tranny,
Springfield Distributor,
2001 Chevy Tracker Ragtop Towd

 

[68vetteconv]

How about a gear drive.. from my old racing days never worry about slack...they sell a "quiet" option as the racing version is quite noisy

 

[jim miller]

> Been reading that the double roller chain is the best option for timing chain and will out live me. The paper work from the PO lists the Melling 40409 was installed when he rebuilt the motor. I'm going to check it through the fuel pump mount hole for slack. What has been the experience with double roller timing chains out there.

My OEM chain with the plastic sprockets had 1” of side-to-side play when I replaced it at 57,000 miles during other engine work. New part was a Cloyes 9-3113 set ($106 from Summit Racing in 5/2012) with crank sprocket set to a +4deg setting as advised by Dick Paterson. No complaints whatsoever in 12,000 miles accumulated so far.

I would NEVER install one of the gear-driven timing assemblies - just because racers use them does not mean we should. I completely trust what Mr. Paterson has to say when it comes to a 455 used in the GMC MH application and his advice was a double-roller chain set so that is what I used.

—Jim

Jim Miller
1977 Eleganza
1977 Royale
Hamilton, OH

 

[68vetteconv]

Just to clarify I never suggested to use the racing confounded quite the reverse the quiet drive is not racing it's a street application but that's
fine I was just voicing an opinion I have 230000 miles on my big block Chevy pickup with the gear drive the timing is dead on because there is no
slack several oem's used gear to gear however as I said I am new to the GMC motorhome thing maybe a gear drive is not the way to go

 

[68vetteconv]

Sorry I typed confounded instead of configuration

 

[johnny]

If it truly is quiet - I'd have to see one - it's a perfectly good idea.... but I suspect compared to a good double roller, it's overkill. Both of
them ought to outlast the engine.

--johnny

--
Foolish Carriage, 76 26' Eleganza(?) with beaucoup mods and add - ons.
Braselton, Ga.
I forgive them all, save those who hurt the dogs. They must answer to me in hell

 

[ekbyker]

Has anyone used a fluid damper on a olds 455 did it make a noticeable difference I put one on my 6.2 diesel it is way smother and revs quicker