Double row timing chain worth it?

[maldotcom2]

Is it neccessary to use a double row timing chain when using a bigger cam/heavy duty springs? Has anyone had any experience with a single row not being sufficient? I'm just wondering whether the money would be better spent elsewhere as the double row sets are 5 times the cost of a single row set.

[acarmody]

5 times the cost???? Your buying either the wrong item or at the wrong place.

EDIT: Found the price, I paid $136 for my Rollermaster double row. You don't really HAVE to use a double row, but it is good insurance if you going a wild cam with tough springs. Just remember if using a double row you have to remove the balancer shaft drive gears.

[Blown V6 Hatch]

It's not the cam thats the problem, it's the heavy duty springs. The tensioner doesn't take very kindly to heavy duty springs and they normally wear out fairly quickly which generally results in a blocked oil pick up when the bits of the tensioner end up in the sump. When you use a double row chain, you don't run the tensioner anymore as the double row chain is tight without it.

Get a double row, delete the balance shaft and be happy. It's certainly cheap insurance IMO.

[maldotcom2]

Acarmody where did you buy it from? I have seen them for $300+.

[VSSECO]

I was under the impression that the tensioner was still supposed to stay with the double chain... even though it doesn't look like it needs it

[VSSECO]

I was under the impression that the tensioner was still supposed to stay with the double chain... even though it doesn't look like it needs it

[Blown V6 Hatch]

No, you do away with the tensioner. Removing the tensioner is one of the main reasons to go with the double row.

[VSSECO]

I threw a double chain in mine last month as part of a big engine freshen up, and haven't started it back up yet. Should I pull the timing case again and remove the tensioner??? Is there any benefit, I mean apart from no tensioner wear? Quieter?

[Blown V6 Hatch]

The benefit is that the tensioner won't fall to bits, they're weak as piss with heavier valve springs....Are you running heavy valve springs?

[VSSECO]

No i'm running standard springs with YT rollers. I went right through the engine and replaced anything that I could see potentially failing in the future and I figured that if I had to buy a timing chain at all then I may as well buy a double row chain, I wanted to disable the balance shaft anyway. So it's all back together with a new tensioner in there and now I'm shattered I left it in but dont really feel like pulling it apart again.

[Blown V6 Hatch]

If it's running stock springs, then it should be ok. But there is really no point to using it with a double row. If it was me, i'd pull it back apart and get rid of it. One less thing to go wrong. Up to you i guess....

[VSSECO]

I know, your absolutely right... I really should do it, I'm just getting over doing things twice haha. I guess I'll go buy myself another timing case gasket set tomorrow

[RUF 231]

My "built" Eco just has a single Rollmaster. I installed it at initial build (prior to disabling balance shaft). I had the timing case off recently after 15 000kms cause i was paranoid about the "heavy" springs flogging out the chain. chain was perfect, tensioner was perfect, no complaints. At this same time i ditched the balance shaft gear, and just put the single back in cause it was fine.

I did springs/ chain replacement on my former daily VN not long ago, i fitted a double chain and ditched the balance shaft also. A very reliable source informed me that the tensioner must be put in even with a double chain. He told me to fit the chain without the tensioner and check for slop. I did and there was some give, so i chose to refit a tensioner.

This is what i have been told by an experienced V6 builder. Others may think other wise, but it hasn't failed me.

[Blown V6 Hatch]

Every timing chain will have a bit of give. On a double row, if you do fit the tensioner back in, it will be doing nothing anyway...The tensioner is a shit set up, the sooner it can be gotten rid of the better.

[RUF 231]

Every timing chain will have a bit of give. On a double row, if you do fit the tensioner back in, it will be doing nothing anyway...The tensioner is a shit set up, the sooner it can be gotten rid of the better.

Don't get me wrong, i was about to just put it in without a tensioner after reading threads on SC. But i was unsure after seeing the slop on mine, so i asked.. and was told to put one in.

Either or really, not sayin you are wrong

[Blown V6 Hatch]

Na, that's cool. IMO, the V6 should have come from the factory with a double row & no tensioner

[RUF 231]

i agree......

[VSSECO]

Now I'm confused about what to do

I think if I was putting the chain in today I'd leave the tensioner out, but since its in there now and I'm so close to getting the car to the dyno I'm tempted to just leave it for now.

[delcowizzid]

leave it in there it will be fine .

[VSSECO]

Cheers delco

[chargedvx6]

Yep, a double and no tensioner is the way to go. I've had my rollmaster off a couple of times and there seems to be no real wear and it is clearly superior in quality to the stocker. Win win

[acarmody]

Acarmody where did you buy it from? I have seen them for $300+.

I got mine from a place called "Performance Wholesale Australia" just south of Brisbane. Performance Wholesale Australia - Australia's largest stockist of race parts . Give them a buzz. They normally sell wholesale as thier name suggests, and I did buy 90% of my engine rebuild parts from them, but they should send you a chain.

Who quoted you $300+?

Also try these guys http://www.rocketindustries.com.au .

EDIT: These guys seems almost too cheap, http://www.autopowerparts.com.au/parts/romac_timing.pdf , $80 that's trade price though.
EDIT: https://www.americanautos.com.au/cgi...&option=CS6150 $157.

[maldotcom2]

Thanks for that. Definitely be going for one now. It was a retail cam shop that quoted me that for the timing chain. They seem pretty steep for everything actually so i might just get the cam from them and order the rest through one of these sites.

[immortality]

i had trouble fitting my double row timing chain the bloody thing was that tight. maybe there is some excessive tolerances in machining from block to block from the production line?

[acarmody]

Mine had a bit of slack so we decided to leave the tensioner on.