Timing chain recommendation

[RichardHawkins]

I am trying to find advice, not on the supplier so much as the manufacturer and specification.

I have noticed that the price quoted varies considerably, which may indicate a quality variation. I phoned three engine parts suppliers today, two of which showed little or no interest, i.e. they did not know what they were selling and didn't want to find out. Both said they sold chains to race engine builders and never had any complaints, what that means I don't know.

I think of a chain as a power transmission component, that is not made by a vehicle manufacturer, but bought by a vehicle manufacturer.

In my industrial life if I needed a bearing, or other such part of a larger machine, I would not buy from the machine manufacturer, but from a bearing company, and then only a reputable brand, such as SKF.

Can anyone recommend a brand and spec?

Richard Hawkins

[promotor]

I believe Renold, and Cross and Morse made the original chains. You can still buy Cross and Morse chains and I would use them for most engine builds

Also IWIS are good quality and do make T/C chains.

I'm sure others will be along with further help!

[john.p.clegg]

Richard
You're not too far from Newark,this Sunday it's the autojumble and there is a regular stall just for chains,they have a good range and can advise and make up chains on the spot.....I had my odd link chain made up there years ago (tall block)....

John

[archigator]

I bought a new chain from Dave Bean a few years ago, and actually spoke to Dave Bean for his personal recommendation. He offered 3 different chains:

1. Stock chain
2. Heavy- duty chain custom made by a local California shop for Dave Bean's twin-cam applications.
3. A full-out heavy-duty never-to-break chain designed for racing.

I opted for chain number 2... no complaints. As I recall, it was not much more expensive than the stock chain. You may want to contact them at: http://davebean.com/ (Their web page doesn't seem to have been updated for 5 years, but don't let that discourage you!)

Gary
'71 Sprint FHC
Miami, Florida

[rgh0]

The key thing to look for is the actual rollers on the chain. Cheap chains have a roller formed by rolling a flat sheet into a tube and you can see the join line.. Better quality chains have solid forged rollers. Buy a chain with solid forged rollers from a reputable chain manufacturer and you will be OK.

cheers
Rohan

[john.p.clegg]

Richard

Found their website:-

http://www.sprocketsunlimited.com/

John

[RichardHawkins]

Thanks everyone, I have spoken to Renold, and Cross & Morse. I got the impression they do not supply automotive timing chains any more (although they did not say so) but were offering me a standard industrial chain of the appropriate dimension. An industrial chain may have been what was originally used, but I do not know.

ISIS make timing chains for the automotive industry, but I have not yet been able to understand their different specs for chains of the same dimensions.

If I get to the bottom of this I will post my results.

Richard Hawkins

[GrUmPyBoDgEr]

Thanks everyone, I have spoken to Renold, and Cross & Morse. I got the impression they do not supply automotive timing chains any more (although they did not say so) but were offering me a standard industrial chain of the appropriate dimension. An industrial chain may have been what was originally used, but I do not know.

ISIS make timing chains for the automotive industry, but I have not yet been able to understand their different specs for chains of the same dimensions.

If I get to the bottom of this I will post my results.

Richard Hawkins

IWIS is a major chain supplier to the automotive industry.
I know that they supply all timing chains to BMW; could you ask for better credentials?

[rgh0]

Yes agree a quality automotive industry supplier is a good starting point but you need to get the right quality chain from them as most manufacturers make both cheap and more expensive and better quality chains. Getting real quality specification data on chain from various suppliers is what we need if we are looking for a useful recommendation on what chains to buy.

As an aside
Personally I would prefer if they supply to Toyota rather than a big german manufacturer!!!
Just had to replace the lower front ball joints on my wifes Mercedes ML - 100,000 km and replacement cost $2000 . My Toyota Landcruiser on the other hand has done 300,000 kms and the ball joints are fine and if I had to replace them it would cost about $100.

cheers
Rohan

[Jeff@Jae]

We only stock IWIS endless chains for the Twin Cam.

[holywood3645]

I’ve been looking for the type of timing chain used in the twin cam. Does anyone have the spec?
I believe the number O6B may be the answer, but I need to confirm.
Thanks
James

[Slowtus]

Ask John McCoy at https://omnitech-engineering.com/ what he uses.

[tonyabacus]

Jeff@jae has posted he is an IWIS supplier but JAE?
Who are they and where are they located?

[Mazzini]

http://www.jaeparts.com/ in California.

Good people, I've bought a few parts from them over the years.

I've bought chains from Burton, QED and Sue, they all seem okay, perhaps they stretch a bit more than I would have liked, but maybe that's just in my head?

[The Veg]

JAE were my fist-call for Esprit parts back when I had an Esprit. They were the best US supplier for those bits.