380sec timing chain
 

Anyone know what it would take to update a single row chain to a double row,other than the 80 dollar chain?

New sprockets all around, removal of the timing cover, new guide rails and pivot pins...off the top of my head.

380 timing chain
 

The left head (drivers side) also has to be removed on a 380 to replace the distributor drive gear.(sprocket will not clear bottom of head)

It would be a lot easier to replace the existing chain with a new one, and the chain rails too.

You also have to drop the oil pan and remove the pump to get the cover off. Not so bad in a coupe or sedan because it's just the small steel pan that forms the sump.

I had a 1972 280 se that had the timing chain replaced.

It seems to me, if you replaced the single row chain every 75k or so, you would achieve nearly the results as doing the much more expensive double row chain exercise.

Anybody with thoughts on that? I am looking at a 380sec 1983 with 130k miles.... don't think the double chain conversion has been done.

If you replace with a single row chain, check for wear every 30,000 miles, and change the oil RELIGIOUSLY every 3,000 miles you should be o.k. There was an article about this in a previous issue of STAR magazine and that is what they suggested IF you did not want to convert to a double row chain.
I believe they did say change the chain every 70 to 75,000 miles.