Finally finished installing new chain and tensioner.
Prior to removing the old chain I measured 6 degrees after TDC.
After installation I get 2 degrees BEFORE TDC.
I'm guessing someone had already installed a key in the cam, gave me a total of 8 degrees stretch, chain was flopping in the breeze.

Anyway, if any of you feel safe with 4 or 5 degrees of stretch on a car you recently purchased, check for a woodruf (sp?) key. You may have a potential problem.

greg,

Rubber stretches, timing chains elongate.

Elongation is caused by wear on the pins and bushings.

P E H

You may not have a key installed. The keys work both ways. If you had it showing 4* before TDC, you could install the 2* woodruff key and get it back to 0 (Or, you could install with your current 2*BTDC and get it 2* after TDC).

I would not worry about 2*, the chain will eventually wear into it.

Point I was trying to make -
Suppose you just bought a car, pop off the cam cover and measure your chain.
If it measures 4 degrees you would probably just put the cam cover back on and be on your way.

IF the car had already had a 4 degree woodruff key installed to correct previous stretch, you would actually have 8 degrees , a potential problem.

The first thing we need know is what vehicle your talking about. Please go to the USER CP and put your location and vehicle info in your profile.

Second, if you look at the FSM new chains are built to wear in to 2deg.

Your right about the woodruf key being a potential problem. That has been mentioned a few times before but it's good for a reminder.

Danny

__________________
1984 300SD Turbo Diesel 150,000 miles

OBK member #23

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It's a 240D
Man I bought it from was a diesel fanatic, told me I should check the chain NEXT YEAR.
Only put on about 4000 miles since purchase.
I did a considerable amount of reading here before attempting this task, saw where a new chain will 'break in' 2 degrees.
I saw nothing mentioned about 'caution' for a previously installed key.
It may be old news for you guys but a rookie on these things looks for any guidance he can get.

How do you identify an offset key? Look at it in profile?

Sixto
93 300SD

I would guess to remove the cam sprocket bolt and look at it. Possibly look from behind ????

Someone should have a proper answer.

Did you rent a crimping tool to secure the chain link?

__________________
Jimmy L.
'05 Acura TL 6MT
2001 ML430 My Spare

Gone:
'95 E300 188K "Batmobile" Texas Unfriendly Black
'85 300TD 235K "The Wagon" Texas Friendly White
'80 240D 154K "China" Scar engine installed
'81 300TD 240K "Smash"
'80 240D 230K "The Squash"
'81 240D 293K"Scar" Rear ended harder than Elton John

Rented from Performance Products, only source I could find. ($32 + deposit)
Purchased 2 extra master links.
Chain didn't come with a 'temporary' link and I put on the master and ground it off after chain was pulled through.
Not sure all this was necessary, just overly cautious