Double row timing chain clearance issues

[vtv6]

Hey guys just out of curiosity what could go wrong if you don't make any changes for clearance issues when putting in a double row timing chain in a ecotec?

[strgas]

excessive noise and wear on the chain and the cover , metal deposits in the oil , soon followed by engine failure .

[vtv6]

Well I better be putting in that new oil pump from mace then lol. could the dragging on the oil pump cause low oil pressure?

[Trikky]

I thought that this was only an issue on the US versions of the motors as they has a different crank journal and slightly different pump housing

I have just fitted a roller master one I got from MACE and no signs of rubbing to the pump housing

more likely a blocked oil pump pickup or issues with the pressure relief spring/plunger or worn bearings etc

[padrickz88]

I was under the same impression as trikky....

I put my double row chain on, only used 1 gasket and haven't had any clearance issues...

[immortality]

It seems that some do and some don't rub. Differences in factory casting/machining I guess.

No way that i can see the timing chain rubbing on the oil pump cover causing oil pressure issues (unless it's worn right through and i don't see that happening either).

[westerlybreeze]

I also have a Roller master double row from MACE in my new motor. No issues

[chargedvx6]

I just helped a mate rebuild his forged l67 due to a JP double chain letting go due to bad alignment. The inside of the timing cover is heavily worn and now in the bin, oil pump cover is similar albeit steel! 2 JE forgies for the bin, 6 new valves, new rings n bearings, gasket kit, block spin wash n re hone due to fine swarf throughout the oil galleries.........list goes on

Regardless of wether a rollmaster (my preference with IWIS chain) or JP chain is used, there is room for fatal error. Machined oil pump cover FTW!

[padrickz88]

I've heard about JP chains being shit in comparison to other brands......
I know when I brought a JP double row, I had A LOT of trouble with it not fitting properly and when I called JP about it, lets just say their after sales support was one of the worst I've had to deal with.
Then they tried to blame it on my engine, I told them I tried it on 2 different engines and it had fitting issues on both, then eventually he said send it in to make sure everything was right, they told me it was perfect and was exactly the same as multiple stock pieces and sent it back to me (after it sat on their shelf for a week and didn't notice until I called them)...

So I took it to a machining place around my area and compared it with 2 stock items and the guys said there is a shitload of difference so I had it bored out and then it fit perfectly
So I would recommend a different company based on customer service alone, let alone the product not being a proper fit

[greggy79]

put a rollmaster double row timing set in my vx v6 ecotec,i've had the sprocket machined so it buts up n the cover machined to 3.3mm bearing in mind the mace cover is 3.4mm and it still rubbed so it got it machined to 2.9 n it still rubs so can any1 tell what the hell is wrong...i read these forums n every1 has chamfered sprocket n a mace cover n theirs works....

[immortality]

Sounds very weird. Put up some pics mate so we can see what is going on

[chargedvx6]

You need to ensure that the timing chain runs parallel to the face of the block from the crank to the cam. If the cam sprocket sits further away from the block than the crank one it can cause the chain to run against the leading edge of the oil pump cover. Seen this a few times now

[greggy79]

pics of what ? the crank gear is butting up against the crank n cam gear ? there no mention of machining the cam gear ? this shit should just fit i've spent over 800 already n it aint working...mines a ln3 engine with a va engine number does this make a difference cause the chain set box said from vh numbers up

[BowTie]

sounds like you have one of those special timing covers. as in first cast by a work to a minimum pisshead on a monday morning.

[immortality]

Hey mate, we are trying to help you, why not help us to help you.........

There should be no reason to have to machine anything. As said 99% of people have run a double row chain without issue (including myself). The MACE machined oil pump cover is good ensure to ensure plenty of clearance.

You did remove the timing gear for the balance shaft from the cam before you fitted the new timing chain sprocket on the cam........

[greggy79]

i removed the balancer gear from behind the cam yes,do i need to get another cover from the wreckers ?

[immortality]

Couldn't hurt, then atleast you can compare yours.

See if you can move the crank shaft forward and backward in the block.

[greggy79]

i'll check, what does that mean if i can ? should there b any movement i have one of those dial guages for reading run out.the chain has forward/backward movement ? the pins in the chains seem to touch that part of the crank that sticks out of the front of the main cap, is that normal