This looks good for the long haul...

That definitely looks like something i want no part in :P

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE (RX 8 Ghost @ Jan 8 2008, 09:01 PM) [url=index.php?act=findpost&pid=17024]<{POST_SNAPBACK}>[/url]</div>

That definitely looks like something i want no part in :P[/b]

I am sure it wasn't meant to be, but that sounds kinky....josh style.

Actually, timing chains are something you want a part of. Because "typically" timing chains don't require any replacement. A timing belt (like on my Protege) needs to be replaced around 100,000 miles. Timing chains are usually good for the life of the car (and I say "usually", but there are some exceptions). The timing chain on my old Saturn has close to 170,000 miles on the factory timing chain. The car is currently being built into a road racer by a guy in Kentucky and he has no plans to change the timing chain.

I would go for a timing chain any day. If I remember right, the reason they went to belts over chains is they are quieter. I have heard of timing chains stretching though.

Timing chains do stretch, and there is a stretch allowance for the chain.

And yes, belts are much quieter than chains. One of the most frequent questions on the Saturn forum (other than "what's the rattling noise" and "how come I burn so much oil") is "what's that ticking noise under the hood".

I'm just happy I have a non-interference engine. So if my belt ever does break, no biggie- other than I'm stranded.

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE (MazdaTom @ Jan 9 2008, 08:04 AM) [url=index.php?act=findpost&pid=17087]<{POST_SNAPBACK}>[/url]</div>

Timing chains do stretch, and there is a stretch allowance for the chain.

And yes, belts are much quieter than chains. One of the most frequent questions on the Saturn forum (other than "what's the rattling noise" and "how come I burn so much oil") is "what's that ticking noise under the hood".

I'm just happy I have a non-interference engine. So if my belt ever does break, no biggie- other than I'm stranded.[/b]

can't a broken belt also hose up your engine big time? I would be more worried about that then being stranded...

Alot of engines are designed as "interference" engines. Meaning that when the valves are fully open, they actually extend down to where the top of the piston is at Top Dead Center. But normally when valves are fully open, the piston is somewhere at or near Bottom Dead Center. This works fine as long as the timing belt/chain is not broken. If it breaks, then the momentum of all the rotating parts continues but the valve train stops before the crankshaft and you're left with bent valves and chewed up pistons.

My engine is non-interference. Meaning that if my timing belt breaks, there is no chance of damage.

Non-interference engines are somewhat less common than interference engines.

I had belts break on both CRX Si's that I had. Grr.

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE (Huzer21 @ Jan 9 2008, 09:24 AM) [url=index.php?act=findpost&pid=17105]<{POST_SNAPBACK}>[/url]</div>

I had belts break on both CRX Si's that I had. Grr.[/b]

never had mine break, but it was always a concern.

Back in '65 Ford came out with a 427 cammer motor. The motor has a 7 foot timing chain.

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE (Huzer21 @ Jan 9 2008, 09:24 AM) [url=index.php?act=findpost&pid=17105]<{POST_SNAPBACK}>[/url]</div>

I had belts break on both CRX Si's that I had. Grr.[/b]

Sounds like a defect assuming recommended replacement was done.

I remember replacing a timing chain once as a mechanic. The truck was about 20 years old and had a guzillion miles on it. If the driver hadn'r moaned about the ticking, we would have just left it alone.

One was an 85, the other an 89. I'm not sure about maintenance on the '85, but I kept it up on the '89. Interesting thing was both times the cars died, I was sitting at a light waiting to turn left.

The Saab 9-5 V-6 owners got a FREE belt at 60K miles. That's how bad they were.

Haha! When my friends came back from 3 years in England, they bought a new 9-5 wagon, and the salesman basically wouldn't sell them the V6.