81 OM617-
I have the engine out and on a stand. I am planning on replacing the front main seal, drop the oil pan to hammer a dent out and clean it, plus replace/rebuild the vacuum pump. Would it be easier to pull the timing cover to replace the chain and associated pieces, or to roll one in like the in-car procedure?

you would need to remove the upper pan to put on a connected chain.

and the 'timing cover' doesn't really 'cover' much of anything...


Rolling a new, unattached chain is far easier. It requires less disassembly. But I would agree that a factory connected chain is more desirable.

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I was not aware I could get a continuous chain- Do you have a supplier for that? I'm not worried about mechanical work. A new gasket would be a good thing, I won't know how much of the oil leak is actually coming from there until I pull it, but I'm sure it's at least some.

I have never looked for one, I would not know where to find it offhand. Phil, can find just about anything though.

there is no gasket there, just the front crank seal. MB recommends their proprietary sealant, but I use RTV as others have. You can see on the left in the picture how the 'timing cover' attaches to the front of the block... it doesn't do much but hold the main seal.

there is so much extra work involved with an attached chain, it makes no sense really. All the pin-pulling and monotonous BS that can get fargled up on a 30 year old engine...

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After a series of delays and events, I'm about to start tearing into this thing. I've been looking around online, but I haven't found a factory continuous chain yet. Does anyone have a source for one?

Contact Roy, aka whunter, on this site.

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RRGrassi


70's Southern Pacific #5608 Fairmont A-4 MOW car

13 VW JSW 2.0 TDI 193K, Tuned with DPF and EGR Delete.

91 W124 300D Turbo replaced, Pressure W/G actuator installed. 210K

90 Dodge D250 5.9 Cummins/5 speed. 400K

If you looke in our various Timing Chain threads you may come across the fact that the Beck Arnley Chains are a continuous chain. Because, in the threads/posts it has that you need to cut one of the links to roll it in from the top.

But, this is not the good deal it seems. There is another Thread that shows a pic of an aftermarket chain and an Iwis Timing chain and it is extremely clear from the pic that the Iwise is better made. The Iwis has larger Chain Pins and the Roller fit is extremely better.

Thread with comparison pics
http://www.peachparts.com/shopforum/showthread.php?t=213242


http://www.peachparts.com/shopforum/showthread.php?t=270902&highlight=beck+arnley

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84 300D, 82 Volvo 244Gl Diesel