1972 Chevy Chevelle timing chain

DTOOL123

MEMBER
1972 CHEVROLET CHEVELLE

Engine Mechanical problem
1972 Chevy Chevelle V8 Two Wheel Drive Automatic? Miles

I am rebuilding a chevy 427 and would like to know how much timing chain slack is OK, it looks about 1/2". I bought a now sprocket set but it does not match the chain pitch of the crank sprocket and I do not have a puller to replace it.
I would like to keep the old set to avoid the hastle.
Is 1/2" OK?

4 Replies

RASMATAZ

MECHANIC
75,992 POSTS

You're cutting it short go at your discretion

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Thursday, February 5th, 2009 AT 10:20 PM

BOWTIE BABY

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101 POSTS

That seems like a lot of slack to me, I would rent the puller and do it rite. It makes a big difference in performance.

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Friday, February 6th, 2009 AT 3:21 AM

DTOOL123

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Thanks for your reply, I have a puller on the way by noon tomorrow and should have it back in shape within an hour.

Thanks again, I know it was close to the limit, but I have already had a line bore, head bebuild and I already have the new sprocket set. Why stop now?
The motor is a High perf. With square port heads, etc, so I think it is worth the effort.

I am putting this motor into a 1978 Chevy pickup to replace a 350 that spun a bearing. I thought it would be a drop-in, but have run into many issues with this used motor.

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Friday, February 6th, 2009 AT 4:03 AM

BOWTIE BABY

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No problem, make sure the chain is not stretched. They usually stretch at the same rate the gears wear out. I wish I had a 427, it would sit nice in my camaro. You will love the torque that motor puts out.

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Tuesday, February 10th, 2009 AT 5:43 PM