Timing chains

[therat04]

I am about to plunge into the unknown world of (for me ) timing chain replacement... I have purchased and studied the dvd, wrote down my list of tools that are needed,contacted experts, sorted out what timing chain kit to go with,tony hart's kit looks as good as any.
The reason for this post is, are there any comments from anyone who has done the job, ie hidden problems not explained in the dvd, things to avoid, helpful hints to make the job easier, any special tools so i don't resort to my hammers, anything at all would be helpful..i am going in just after Christmas ,just to add to the tension i am doing the master cylinder as well, i will post some pics on my profile page of the epic saga successful or not, Thanks and merry Christmas to you all...Steve

[Tdm]

I am about to plunge into the unknown world of (for me ) timing chain replacement... I have purchased and studied the dvd, wrote down my list of tools that are needed,contacted experts, sorted out what timing chain kit to go with,tony hart's kit looks as good as any.
The reason for this post is, are there any comments from anyone who has done the job, ie hidden problems not explained in the dvd, things to avoid, helpful hints to make the job easier, any special tools so i don't resort to my hammers, anything at all would be helpful..i am going in just after Christmas ,just to add to the tension i am doing the master cylinder as well, i will post some pics on my profile page of the epic saga successful or not, Thanks and merry Christmas to you all...Steve

You will need a hammer to bend over the tab on the locking nut on on the top sprocket when putting it back together. I used the Haynes manual & the little orange Triumph V8 engine book when doing mine several years ago. Did have a problem with one paragraph in the workshop manual relating to positioning/timing mark but can't now remember what it was, but I did write about it in an old Club magazine if you have any old copies you might be able to find it. I think it was a pre-2000 mag where I was describing a HG and Timing Chain change. Suggest you change the Tensioners at the same time and mark the position of things as you go along, and have a tray on the floor to catch things you drop as you go along, covering the front of the exposed sump to stop things dropping in there.
Not too difficult a job if you take your time and do it slowly & carefully.

[therat04]

You will need a hammer to bend over the tab on the locking nut on on the top sprocket when putting it back together. I used the Haynes manual & the little orange Triumph V8 engine book when doing mine several years ago. Did have a problem with one paragraph in the workshop manual relating to positioning/timing mark but can't now remember what it was, but I did write about it in an old Club magazine if you have any old copies you might be able to find it. I think it was a pre-2000 mag where I was describing a HG and Timing Chain change. Suggest you change the Tensioners at the same time and mark the position of things as you go along, and have a tray on the floor to catch things you drop as you go along, covering the front of the exposed sump to stop things dropping in there.
Not too difficult a job if you take your time and do it slowly & carefully.

Thanks Terry, covering over the sump is a good idea as the guide spacers look a bit fiddly for someone with fingers like snorkers and all being broken or dislocated in the past!
I have a comprehensive collection of hammers of which i am proud, i am sure one will fit the tab on the locking nut....Steve

[StagnJag]

Hi Steve,

This also isn't a job I have done before, but I have picked up a few bits from here. I beleive it is possible to get the chains too tight, so chain tension needs to be set carefully. Also, if you are changing the top sprockets, there have been some about with the holes drilled in the wrong place. there is quite a bit of info on one of Neil (aka the flying Farmer)'s threads, but I can't find it at the moment.

Regards

Dave

[Andy Rundell]

if changing the sprockets you can opt to get them from LDpart (http://www.ldparts.co.uk/shop/shop.p...roduct&pid=686) - correct tooth/hole alignment - some excellent quality chain option available as well.

When i did it i didn't find it too difficult, take your time and refer to the manual as often as you need!

........ Andy

[Tdm]

Further to my earlier reply I found a copy of the article I wrote all those years ago, and the query I was referring to with regards the Timing Chains I have reproduced below.

".......It was whilst putting the new chains on and aligning the jackshaft sprocket that I noticed one of the differences between the 2 guidebooks, one stating the alignment mark should face the left-hand cylinder block, the other saying it should be the right-hand block. I took a gamble on the left-hand block......."

[therat04]

Hi Steve,

This also isn't a job I have done before, but I have picked up a few bits from here. I beleive it is possible to get the chains too tight, so chain tension needs to be set carefully. Also, if you are changing the top sprockets, there have been some about with the holes drilled in the wrong place. there is quite a bit of info on one of Neil (aka the flying Farmer)'s threads, but I can't find it at the moment.

Regards

Dave

Hello Dave i have been looking at the tension of the chains and its interesting you bring it up as tony hart seems pretty laid back about it on his dvd using touch to set it, but i accept he has done it a hundred times before, the manual is using feeler gauges and stuff.so i will get my head around it on the day.
I am going to buy a garage marquee and do the job in the garden as my garage is a mile away with no power and to many wrinklys around it to run my jenny, but the trout is already playing up "where the f---k am i going to ang me washing " around your neck i am thinking.. so imagine a stag covered in pants and knickers and young trouts bra's just after Christmas what a sight, off to work now ...Steve

[therat04]

if changing the sprockets you can opt to get them from LDpart (http://www.ldparts.co.uk/shop/shop.p...roduct&pid=686) - correct tooth/hole alignment - some excellent quality chain option available as well.

When i did it i didn't find it too difficult, take your time and refer to the manual as often as you need!

........ Andy

Hello Andy, i will have a check of the sprockets when its all in bits, thanks for the link.
I will have the manual, my own and others notes, and a lap top with tony harts dvd running, what could possibly go wrong...Steve

[therat04]

Further to my earlier reply I found a copy of the article I wrote all those years ago, and the query I was referring to with regards the Timing Chains I have reproduced below.

".......It was whilst putting the new chains on and aligning the jackshaft sprocket that I noticed one of the differences between the 2 guidebooks, one stating the alignment mark should face the left-hand cylinder block, the other saying it should be the right-hand block. I took a gamble on the left-hand block......."

Hello Terry on tony harts (my hero) dvd he marks the crankshaft and jack shaft before proceeding, thats what i am going to do, so hopefully it will all go back correctly.
I am going to see if i can find flying farmers (Neil) thread on timing chains as mentioned by Andy so i can have read through that, he has worked his way through a few stag engines by the sound of it, are you having turkey out there Terry or is it a bit hot for that...Steve

[Tdm]

Hello Terry on tony harts (my hero) dvd he marks the crankshaft and jack shaft before proceeding, thats what i am going to do, so hopefully it will all go back correctly.
I am going to see if i can find flying farmers (Neil) thread on timing chains as mentioned by Andy so i can have read through that, he has worked his way through a few stag engines by the sound of it, are you having turkey out there Terry or is it a bit hot for that...Steve

Right now we are still mopping up after the worst storm in decades.
Xmas lunch is already booked at a nearby favourite restaurant of ours, and yes it will be turkey.
Good luck with the Timing Chains change, as well as marking things it might be an idea to take a couple of photos of your current set up before starting dismantling - as they say "A picture paints a thousand words".

[Stagdad]

Hello Terry on tony harts (my hero) dvd he marks the crankshaft and jack shaft before proceeding, thats what i am going to do, so hopefully it will all go back correctly.
I am going to see if i can find flying farmers (Neil) thread on timing chains as mentioned by Andy so i can have read through that, he has worked his way through a few stag engines by the sound of it, are you having turkey out there Terry or is it a bit hot for that...Steve

I never really understood the mark on the jackshaft, if you set it all up correct and do a trial crank rotation the jackshaft won't be in the same place I believe as it has a different number of teeth.looking at what the jackshaft drives,water pump position no critical,same for oil pump so its only the dissy which you can drop in multiple positions so is it a balance thing ?
cheers Steve

[therat04]

I never really understood the mark on the jackshaft, if you set it all up correct and do a trial crank rotation the jackshaft won't be in the same place I believe as it has a different number of teeth.looking at what the jackshaft drives,water pump position no critical,same for oil pump so its only the dissy which you can drop in multiple positions so is it a balance thing ?
cheers Steve

Hello Steve tony hart in his dvd says turn the engine two complete turns to test the chains have been fitted correctly and nothing is out of place, he also says that the jackshaft mark will not line up after the turns, so i think its a reference mark to make sure it all goes back together as it came apart, as you say balance or making sure the same worn parts are mating up again...Steve