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Originally Posted by FloridaGuy
Guess I have the same problem but I keep reading such conflicting info here. I am actively looking for a car. There are some great deals on 81 to 83's with the single chain. If I'm buying this just as a weekender car and only going to drive about 4000 miles a year, isn't it just fine to redo the single chain and go with that instead the whole conversion process. Some people here seem to think the single is ok if you maintain it and others here on the forums I read say it should be converted immediately as it's a time bomb.
Ed
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There is nothing wrong with the single chain, as long as it is changed every 40k. Single or double chain, they are the weak link on MB v8 motors till 1992. Frequent oil changes and awareness are the best preventive medicine. They can both fail in the same fashion, converting to a double chain only buys you more mileage before it has to be done again. I once had a 450SL that ate four timing chains in the 70k that I drove it, and it was a double chain motor. I would rather leave it the way it left the factory, because no shop can meet the same standards of cleanliness and procedures. The problem with doing a conversion is that the front cover has to be pulled AND reseald properly when reinstalled. It's like opening a can of worms. I had a 1967 230S with a single chain and was told the same thing about the ticking time bomb. Well, I simply maintained it and never had a problem.