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Timing set opinions.

beanhead

beanhead

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What are your thoughts on the torrington bearing-equipped timing gears, in NON-roller cam applications in the big-block Mopar? Some say use it as the bearing prevents wear on the block surface. Others say don't bother....
Thanks!
 
I used one from SA Gear, on my 470, fit perfect and never had a timing issue, plus it was a double roller.
 
Sounds pretty fancy.
I have used Edelbrock, Cloyes and Summit brand. The only time I had trouble was with the Summit one.
My 67 Dart was idling in front of my shop and just stopped running. Once I discovered that is was a timing chain/set issue, I was really surprised. The engine had about 4000 miles on it. The chain just snapped. 6 bent pushrods but no serious damage otherwise.
 
Wouldn't you need modify the upper sprocket if it wasn't made for a torrington bearing??
 
I would think the thrust bearing would be more valuable in a flat tappet situation. A roller cam kinda floats between the rear plug and the button at the front that sets end play. The flat tappet cam has a taper to the cam lobes that not only rotates the lifter, it also drives the cam rearward in the block, limited by the timing chain gear riding against the block. The thrust bearing would maybe smooth that out , and reduce rotational drag. I would suspect ti will be really insignificant however. I would be much more concerned with the quality of the chain itself.
 
Edelbrock or Cloyes timing chains are my recommendation, never an issue! 440'
 
Kern Dog said:
Sounds pretty fancy.
I have used Edelbrock, Cloyes and Summit brand. The only time I had trouble was with the Summit one.
My 67 Dart was idling in front of my shop and just stopped running. Once I discovered that is was a timing chain/set issue, I was really surprised. The engine had about 4000 miles on it. The chain just snapped. 6 bent pushrods but no serious damage otherwise.
Click to expand...
Ouch! Last time I ordered a Summit chain set (nice-looking made in USA) it was about a link too small to fit properly...they gave me a full refund though even though it had been a few months between purchase and attempted install.
 
Fran Blacker said:
Wouldn't you need modify the upper sprocket if it wasn't made for a torrington bearing??
Click to expand...
I believe you're correct Fran, however I was thinking of the gear sets that are made with the bearing. They should fit and locate the cam just as a regular set would?
 
5.7 hemi said:
I used one from SA Gear, on my 470, fit perfect and never had a timing issue, plus it was a double roller.
Click to expand...
That's right, I remember you mentioning that...I guess if they're made to let the cam locate normally it's maybe a little extra insurance against gear-to-block friction. I have an SA in my 440 but it's a single-bolt version with no bearing.
 
33 IMP said:
I would think the thrust bearing would be more valuable in a flat tappet situation. A roller cam kinda floats between the rear plug and the button at the front that sets end play. The flat tappet cam has a taper to the cam lobes that not only rotates the lifter, it also drives the cam rearward in the block, limited by the timing chain gear riding against the block. The thrust bearing would maybe smooth that out , and reduce rotational drag. I would suspect ti will be really insignificant however. I would be much more concerned with the quality of the chain itself.
Click to expand...
Yes I like the sets that use 'IWIS' chains, there's one other real good one I can't think of at the moment...
 
beanhead said:
Ouch! Last time I ordered a Summit chain set (nice-looking made in USA) it was about a link too small to fit properly...they gave me a full refund though even though it had been a few months between purchase and attempted install.
Click to expand...

So far no issues with my Summit timing set. Been on the road three years. I do recall this set had a bearing on the back side to ride against the block.
20170313_014127.jpg
 
That looks more expensive than the one I had in my '67 Dart !
 
33 IMP said:
I would think the thrust bearing would be more valuable in a flat tappet situation. A roller cam kinda floats between the rear plug and the button at the front that sets end play. The flat tappet cam has a taper to the cam lobes that not only rotates the lifter, it also drives the cam rearward in the block, limited by the timing chain gear riding against the block. The thrust bearing would maybe smooth that out , and reduce rotational drag. I would suspect ti will be really insignificant however. I would be much more concerned with the quality of the chain itself.
Click to expand...

Exactly the opposite...
Roller Cams create FAR more end thrust than Flat Tappets.... hence why Roller Cams require Cam "THRUST" Buttons at the front to stop them from pushing out through the Timing Cover... and very nice(Rec'd) to have the Torrington Bearing behind the Cam Gear as well in Roller Apps to help prevent the Block from Roller Cam Thrust wear.

Doesn't hurt anything running the Torrington Brg Equipped Gears on the Flat Tappet Cams as well.... just not "required" as they will run fine without, but still the Torrington is a "nice to have" if you have one.
 
beanhead said:
Yes I like the sets that use 'IWIS' chains, there's one other real good one I can't think of at the moment...
Click to expand...

You're thinking about the Australian made Rollmaster (Gold) timing sets.

Part number for a BB is CS5150 iirc
 
Last edited:
Challenger340 said:
Exactly the opposite...
Roller Cams create FAR more end thrust than Flat Tappets.... hence why Roller Cams require Cam "THRUST" Buttons at the front to stop them from pushing out through the Timing Cover... and very nice(Rec'd) to have the Torrington Bearing behind the Cam Gear as well in Roller Apps to help prevent the Block from Roller Cam Thrust wear.

Doesn't hurt anything running the Torrington Brg Equipped Gears on the Flat Tappet Cams as well.... just not "required" as they will run fine without, but still the Torrington is a "nice to have" if you have one.
Click to expand...
Thanks. Looks like quite a few of the 3-bolt sets have them nowadays.
 
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