Doing a cam swap this weekend along with a host of other mods and was wondering if I should replace my timing chain and gears?? I have all the parts but the timing set. With any luck, it may be here tomorrow. I know the oil pump can be a PITA, so if you think my chain is okay with 70k, I'll leave the pump and chain alone. If you think I should replace the chain, any pointers on the pump removal would be great. I have read the posts here about the proceedure, but if there is anything else I should know, fill me in. Thanks and all help appreciated. Swapping in my 2001 ECSB 5.3.

 

if you want to do a timing set go with the roll master double setup. but honestly it's not nessecary. Stephen Sanders who has a 9.8 second N/A LS1 car runs a stock timing chain on it (as per email he sent me when i started building my motor) anyways it's just an insurance thing and it's kinda overkill really.you might just buy a hardened chain at a performance shop if you can, that's easy as hell. just slip the old one off and the new one on. no biggie at all. good luck with it. what cam are you going with?

 

I'm going with the Comp 212/218, 522/529, 114 and 918 springs. These trucks and all the engine compartment room are a breeze to work on, unlike my f-body! I had the entire disassembly done in 4 hours. Planning to begin installing tomorrow. Still don't have the chain though.

 

AT least you could get your pulley bolt out. That's the same setup I will be going with (if I ever get off my *** and do it). I would worry about the timing set up. But while your in there, it would be cheap enough to do.

 

Take a look at the stock chain and see how much slack it has. When you see how tight the new one is you'll be glad you changed it.

 

I'm with grey silver. Although the stock chain may hold up, there is very little slack in a rollmaster double chain, which is what I have, compared to the stock chain.

 

The new timing set is a good idea and take a look at cloyes hex-a-just unit, if you want a little more future tuning ability you will be able to advance or retard the cam with a simple allen wrench adjustment. This unit will stay tighter and be more reliable in your future buildups. Take care when you install the new cam not to let the lobes ding the cam bearings when you slide it in, this ruins good motors and lowers oil pressure. While you have the oil pump off check some tech articles on how to carefully port the oil pump inlet body just above where the oil pickup pipe bolts to it. This increases oil flow up to about 15% and will give you more oiling insurance.
Hope this Helps, Good Luck!
Raylar

 

i wouldn't try to port my own oil pump if you're never done anything like that before....or atleast seen one and know what to do. you can end up hurting more than you help in that situation.