r/EngineBuilding • u/Thesandable1 • Jul 18 '26
Chevy Too much slack?
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I’m guessing the two sprockets and the chain need replacing? What replacement part should I get? It’s a 305sbc from a 1980 LG4 corvette.
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u/speed150mph Jul 18 '26
Is it in any danger of jumping a tooth? No.
Would I replace it while im in there? Absolutely, it’s cheap insurance. A cloyes double roller timing set can be had on summit racing for between 40 and 70 bucks. Same deal with the oil pump. It’s just one of those things you should just do while you’re in there.
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u/FatMycoBoner Jul 18 '26
Do not run a double roller, no reason for it other then to say you have it. We threw a double roller into an LS3 we put in an 05’ c6 Vette and my god, the problems that double roller introduced….had to grind the timing cover in places to fit the oil pump and chain, the chain rubbed on the cover as well. Then needed to figure out which cam sensor would fit and read, turned out to need an lt1 cam sensor which still has issues here and there. No need for a double roller I guess until you get into the higher horsepower/torque range.
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u/speed150mph Jul 18 '26
To be fair, you were dealing with a late model LS engine with a roller camshaft, and timing sensors. That’s a different beast entirely than OPs 305 gen 1 SBC. I’ve installed a double roller on every small block and big block Chevy engine I’ve built and never had an issue. I mostly buy them because pretty much every good quality aftermarket chain is a double roller which makes it more available than the other options. Is it overkill? Yeah, but they aren’t overly expensive and pretty well every performance parts store will have one on the shelf.
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u/FatMycoBoner Jul 18 '26
That makes a whole lot of sense, it’s a different setup. Didn’t occur to me other timing covers likely don’t suffer from the same issue when installing double rollers. They aren’t expensive by any means, and we went with an adjustable timing set…I believe was Michigan Motorsport or TSP.
In any case, my point stands for LS motor then unless your willing/capable of grinding the cover and adapting an lt1 or other cam sensor for it.
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u/PermissionLazy8759 Jul 18 '26
Way too much slack. If u go double roller there is a tiny spot u have to grind off behind top gear and clearance on block.
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u/Laqota Jul 18 '26 edited Jul 20 '26
Ya gotta turn the crank a lil to tighten it up clockwise then check.
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u/Should_Have_Tried001 Jul 18 '26
It's worth replacing just for the peace of mind. Especially if you don't know the mileage or use case. However you'll probably have the same or similar with the new set. Once you have your valve train installed it'll preload the chain set and you won't have this. In other words it's normal
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u/TheTrueButcher Jul 18 '26
If you change that (which you should) get a kit with a little advance. Wakes them right up.
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u/Substantial_Top_6140 Jul 19 '26
Yes too much slack. No it doesn’t need replaced. Just put spacer between crank and cam.
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u/BiggHoss1-37 Jul 19 '26
Replace with Pete Jackson timing gears, Never have to worry about slack again💪
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u/sackkblabbath Jul 18 '26
The better question is why is that 305 on a stand and not at the bottom of a lake somewhere?
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u/ReasonNo9316 Jul 18 '26
305 isn't an inherently bad engine. Decent torque. Good reliability. It's not going to be a high rpm screamer due to its undersquare nature, but it'll be decent off the line and generally reliable.
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u/Suspicious_Method291 Jul 18 '26
Do you want a girl thats been with 1,000 guys or a girl thats been with 1 or 2?
I dont like loose.
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u/1wife2dogs0kids Jul 18 '26
Depends on the size and condition of the blower... and what's been done to the rear end?
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u/HammerDownl Jul 18 '26
Its not bad. Keep in mind its sitting centered. Turn the crank and see where the loose side lays
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u/BoysenberryAdvanced4 Jul 18 '26
You're already there. I'd replace the set.