2000 Tahoe..Timing Chain Slack

[orange57]

How much slack is acceptable in the timing chain. This seems a little sloppy to me. But I'm not sure waht is normal.

2000 Limited, 205K miles. Was going to try and upload a video, but it won't let me. Maybe there is an amount of slack that is acceptable. I seem to have about half an inch or so. I didn't fully measure it.

 

[OR VietVet]

Post a pic, not a video and show the deflection in a pic or two. Half an inch is a lot, IMO. But is that the actual deflection, say right in the middle of the looseness and the outer edge actually moves over 1/2" outside edge to outside edge? If it was mine I would put one on and the gears, if I had that far torn down.

 

[orange57]

I was leaning towards replacing. Just didn't know what is normal. So didn't wasn't to drop the coin on a new set only to find out it's normal.

 

[OR VietVet]

IMO, that is enough to replace it. I would do it but it is your money and I like to spend other people's money. Hell, lots of us do! Post pics of the slack in the new chain and gears. What brand gears and chain are you going to get? That is the 5.7 engine isn't it? I don't see a damper.

I prefer Cloyes or Melling if OE is not available.

 

[orange57]

Yep, 5.7 Engine. I put a new Melling oil pump in the car, seems good quality. The extra $100 isn't a huge deal, I can justify it by not having a car payment

I'll look to see what I can find for a descent price.

As I mentioned in another post, once I get the engine to stop leaking, will be time for a suspension refresh. I'm trying to extend the life of the truck so I don't need to get something new.

 

[OR VietVet]

There are two choices of Cloyes and Melling timing chain sets. Read thru at RA to see which one is needed. They were all at around $50 or less and can look at Amazon and get with free shipping. When you put back together, make sure all is clean, especially the gasket surfaces.

 

[wjburken]

If you are that far into things, and you have any doubt, replace the timing chain.

 

[orange57]

Set ordered, will be here next week

 

[orange57]

Another follow up. I ordered Cloyes kit 91157. It is for the 5.7 Vortec. But the sprocket for the crank has 3 keyways. I only see one key on my crank. Is this for added adjustment if someone is tuning? Or should I be getting a different kit? When I read the applications, and the questions asked/answered on a couple of websites, it stated this was the correct application, but now I"m second guessing.

 

[exp500]

Did you find the timing marks on the sprockets? Overthinking?

 

[orange57]

I don't have the new set yet. Will be here sometime this week. I can see the timing marks on mine, will line them up. What I'm worried about is the three keyways on the new sprockets vs the one keyway on my crankshaft.

I'll have to get a couple pictures together to better explain. Pictures are always good

 

[exp500]

Sometimes a combination of keyways on timing sets. My experience has been they All have Zero marks so you can determine cam advance / retard with degree wheel.

 

[OR VietVet]

Use the keyway that aligns your gears like the old ones. The multiple keyway slots is for racing and will change timing and give more adjustment that you would not have with just turning the distributor. You can see videos at you tube about that. I know guys, way back when, that when we were doing dirt track winged sprint cars would do that with the crank gear.

 

[grouch]

The set I put in y '93 5.7 had three key slots. There will be a note with what each one is. Unless you're souping the engine up, go the stock setting. My chain had jumped two notches. How it kept running is beyond me. It just ran rough and after running for 30 minutes, the exhaust header was 175 degrees. I'm working on it as I get time but I expect power, heater output and economy will all improve.