M42club.com - Home of the BMW E30/E36 318i/iS

DISCUSSION => Engine + Driveline => Topic started by: christophbmw on March 12, 2008, 08:37:52 AM

Title: T-Chain master link.
Post by: christophbmw on March 12, 2008, 08:37:52 AM

So i did my timing chain the other day without removing the front cover. Interested? I found a master link that is made by IWS (same OE manufacter as the T-Chain). So if you need to do your chain.....but only want it to take a couple hours instead of removing the front cover then i have the part # you need for the master link.

Title: T-Chain master link.
Post by: Cobra Jet on March 12, 2008, 08:57:20 AM

explain some more...

Title: T-Chain master link.
Post by: gearheadE30 on March 12, 2008, 01:57:35 PM

I thought that these engines didn't have master links. None of the chains I have seen/installed had them; is it a custom piece?

Title: T-Chain master link.
Post by: bmwpower on March 12, 2008, 04:48:55 PM

The only problem with doing that is now you gears will wear the chain (and the gears) out.  You're supposed to change the gears and the chain (and the guides) at the same time.  I think we've talked about this at least a couple times on here.

Title: T-Chain master link.
Post by: christophbmw on March 12, 2008, 06:57:17 PM

first of all the gears only wear out if you dont replace the chain, and the chain gets loose and you drive it around like that.

Now the Mercedes older V8's have the same chain specs as the M42, and so does the older 320i, and the newer bmw V8's (the 3 and 4.4 liter motors). The link i used is a Mercedes part and it is a master link kit (comes with everything but the chain) and it is IDENTICAL to the link on a M42 chain link. So i got the M42 chain (the IWS OE one) and did the swap, i will do a writeup along with part #'s tonight if i find time when i get home from school. it was simple, easy and best of all i didnt have to remove the front cover!

Title: T-Chain master link.
Post by: Nomadic on March 14, 2008, 12:55:43 AM

Quote from: Cobra Jet;44638

explain some more...

Let me guess...

[vastly simplified]
0) remove tensioner
1) punch a pin out of the old chain
2) attach new chain to old chain
3) turn engine over by hand , old chain pulls new chain over gears.
4) Pop on master link.
5) Crack open a cold one

...Am I close?