[Bagdode]

Hello all, im working on a 2000 s10 4.3 timing chain. Vehicle began to start sluggish a while back and has just gotten worse. I bought this thing with 120k on it and got it up to 210k. Kind of a novice here so a buddy helped me with the diag, and ive never changed the timing chain before, so its gotta be due. got it apart and yeah, pretty loose.
Anyway, my question is: has anyone done one of these on this motor and found that their new timing chain is just as loose as the old one?
I believe i purchased all gm genuine parts from chevy the timing kit i picked was pt# 12458911. Ive even tried a cloyes chain from orileys to see if it would be any tighter(on the gm sprockets from the kit) and no beans.. next im trying another whole new timing kit..
Can anyone point out anything i may have missed or impart some of their experiences on this? Im scratching my head wondering if i missed something, got the wrong part, just a bad part, or if this much slack is normal in these motors. Can upload video if it helps.
Much thanks and happy wrenchin

 

[Bagdode]

Apologies, literally just registered, not sure how to upload videos, but here is a short one on youtube. The chain in this video is just as loose as mine was and it is the same with the new one upon installation.
Is that a normal amount of slack for this or any motor for that matter?

 

[zerogravity58]

There shouldn't be more then 1/4-3/8 is slack in the chain. I would buy a matched set of cloyes gears and timing chain. You don't want the chains to tight as when motor heat up everything expands and usually tightens the chains up some. If you are reusing gear with 200k on them throw them away.

 

[Bagdode]

oh thats insightful! i am working in 45-50 degree weather, it may just be a normal amount of slack then. and yes i changed both sprockets and the chain, all 3 parts came with the GM kit i originally bought. i just got back from orileys with a cloyes timing kit and it has the same amount of slack too so im slowly coming to the conclusion that the timing chain isnt my issue. nice to have replaced regardless.
ill actually put a ruler on it and measure (thats also helpful, im assuming you just measure for deflection?)

 

[Bagdode]

ok so i think you may have filled in the missing piece for me zerogravity. when i actually measure the deflection in the new chain i get 5/16 on both the gm and the cloyes kits. i put my old cam sprocket and chain back on (leaving the new gm crank gear on) and measured 7/16 deflection. its small but the old chain is actually looser, and it probably would measure even more with the old crank gear on. so im gonna assume im worrying about nothing and the gm kit i got is just fine?

 

[zerogravity58]

What cloyes kit did you get? You can't use a double roller set with the balanced shaft. Cloyes, comp, and a few others make a thicker single roller chain that will fit. The stock small chain that you have pictures is the same and the ones used on LS motors and they always seem to have a lot of slack. Usually 3/8 of slack can change cam timing 2-3 degrees. This is also why all cam manufacturers usually grind their cams 4 degrees in advance. A little advance is always more forgiving then having the cam retarded. This is the thicker chain I always use. This or the cloyes set. COMP Cams 3202: High Energy Timing Chain Set 1992-Present Chevy V6 90° 4.3L 262 | JEGS

 

[Bagdode]

so this was the kit i got from orielys: https://www.amazon.com/Cloyes-C3212-3-Piece-Set/dp/B000C0AJSG

and this was the kit i got from chevy: 1997-2009 GM Chain Kit,Tmg (W/Spkts) 12458911 | GM Parts Center

but ok this does make sense, as i do remember reading that up to 4 degrees was ok, and the fact that ive tried 2 different kits, and a chain, all with the same amount of slack, i thnk im just gonna slap the gm one on and call it a day.

i suppose what was throwing me off was the fact that every video i saw on youtube, the before and after difference was obvious to the naked eye, and with my project it isnt, but it is a measurable.. then again it was hard to find a video of this motor with that chain. most of them are the double roller kind or have tensioners, but mine is like you said, just a single roller, not too beefy like that one in your link (although i would absolutely love to put one of those in) and no tensioner.

 

[Bagdode]

What cloyes kit did you get? You can't use a double roller set with the balanced shaft. Cloyes, comp, and a few others make a thicker single roller chain that will fit. The stock small chain that you have pictures is the same and the ones used on LS motors and they always seem to have a lot of slack. Usually 3/8 of slack can change cam timing 2-3 degrees. This is also why all cam manufacturers usually grind their cams 4 degrees in advance. A little advance is always more forgiving then having the cam retarded. This is the thicker chain I always use. This or the cloyes set. COMP Cams 3202: High Energy Timing Chain Set 1992-Present Chevy V6 90° 4.3L 262 | JEGS

that is very cool tho, i thought i had to put the same sinlge roller tiny bike chain in, but very cool to know that if i want to i can put that beefy kit in there

 

[Bagdode]

Doubt anybodys watching this post bit just wanted to thank you guys for your help