380sl

[GROVER]

what is the issue with timeing chain on the 380?

[ctaylor738]

Try a search - dozens of posts on this.

[ericdee]

They break, single row and double row.

Single = bad

Double = good

What year is it, I think on the 84's and 85's you don't have anything to worry about. Their all double row.

[GROVER]

i am looking at 1985 and was wondering about timeing chain issue thanks

[airedale]

The '85 has the double row chain but you need the check the chain guides to be sure they are not cracked or broken as they are made of plastic. That requires removing the valve covers. If they need to be replaced that is a good time to replace the chain as preventive maintenance.

I believe the 380's in question are 1981 and 82, have single row! 83 and up are double.

[airedale]

I think '83 at least part of the year is a single chain. The factory would retrofit them for awhile if you complained I believe. I think you can look in the oil filler hole and see the chain to determine if it is single or double.