Are my cam sprockets worn...I'm thinking yes

[sheepdog]

I plan to pull the pan soon to check the bolts and the screen. If everything there is good (or tightened/replaced) am I good for a while. I agree with the tensioner...replacing it now is probably not a good idea.

I will fix this, but am I safe for a while? My wife is going to kill me

I got to meet Mdiddy last night and we compared the sounds of our cars. They are eerily similar. Both have a little valve train tick (maybe a dirty lifter) and both have a definite whirring sound when you put your ear on the valve cover over the front of the engine above the chain.

When he pulled his v/c the sprockets weren't as worn as mine...his engine has approx 140K.

Plus I got to drive his coupe with Bilstein Sports/BAV springs. Wow. I'd rather spend on these right now as mine has the original, floaty, worn suspension.

Should be ok for a while.
If there is no metal chips in the pan from the chain, I would replace the tensioner.

[Petebee]

Should be ok for a while.
If there is no metal chips in the pan from the chain, I would replace the tensioner.

Thanks Sheepdog...I'll order a lower pan gasket and pull it to check. If no metal then I'll replace the tensioner.

The engine whirrs, and doesn't rattle at the timing chain area when rev'd.

[johna]

How about a Metric Mechanic single row timing chain conversion?

[kowalski]

How about a Metric Mechanic single row timing chain conversion?

i never really understood why one would want to do that. sure its a little less mass, but i'd rather have a dual chain settup...

[bmwpower]

i never really understood why one would want to do that. sure its a little less mass, but i'd rather have a dual chain settup...

2 chains > 1 chain, no?

[sheepdog]

Not always.
The lighter mass translates into less whipping of the chain. Plus, it may be of higher strength. It may not be any weaker. It will definitely run more efficient.

[kowalski]

Not always.
The lighter mass translates into less whipping of the chain. Plus, it may be of higher strength. It may not be any weaker. It will definitely run more efficient.

I agree it will run more efficient do to less whippage and rotating mass but there has got to be a reason bmw made it a dual chain instead of a single chain. like, a single chain would be more prone to stretching.

[sheepdog]

Double row has been the standard for a long time.
Materials have improved.

Besides, if a belt can survive, a chain can.
I think a lot of it also goes back to how a v8 is built. The cam drives the oil pump, fuel pump, and ignition. Once those are taken out of the equation there is a lot less strength needed to spin the cam.

I was not so sure of the idea at first, but the more I have thought about it, the more it makes sense that we really do not need it.

[kowalski]

Double row has been the standard for a long time.
Materials have improved.

Besides, if a belt can survive, a chain can.
I think a lot of it also goes back to how a v8 is built. The cam drives the oil pump, fuel pump, and ignition. Once those are taken out of the equation there is a lot less strength needed to spin the cam.

I was not so sure of the idea at first, but the more I have thought about it, the more it makes sense that we really do not need it.

A belt is built to be replaced fairly frequently compared to a chain though.

the several 350's i've rebuilt have had the chain only driving the cam. however i suppose its driving overhead lifters with rockers and such.

I duno, its a hard thing for me to commit too especially considering that the materials haven't changed unless the single row chain is made of a different material?

[sheepdog]

A belt is built to be replaced fairly frequently compared to a chain though.

the several 350's i've rebuilt have had the chain only driving the cam. however i suppose its driving overhead lifters with rockers and such.

I duno, its a hard thing for me to commit too especially considering that the materials haven't changed unless the single row chain is made of a different material?

It would not surprise me if the single row is of better material.
Double rows came into being back when all of those things were driven by the cam. Today v8's have distributor less ignition and, electronic fuel pumps.

Even then a good single row should have worked. As for longevity...
Many belts are spec'ed to go 100k (though it is B/S). Chains do go longer, but you cannot tell me that a single row is weaker than a belt. Besides, belts break down over time, chains just wear.