Dual-row timing chain on U.S. 3.8's
 

When did the U.S.-spec 3.8 liter M116 go to a dual-row timing chain?

1982. All Euro 380's had dual row chains.

had to have been partway through production, my 82 had a single still.

Mid-year 1983 got the double row.

European 3.8 liter engines always had the double row chain.

Interesting! Any reason why?

my 83's got a double.

I saw a beautiful 380SL on eBay this weekend, but it was an '82, and no mention of a chain conversion.

The first USA version 3.8 M116 with double row chain from the factory was the 1984 model year.......

At dealer we up-graded many of the cars with "early" chain failures under warranty.

1983 USA 3.8L engines didn't get double row chains from factory..

1984 Model year is when the change happened..That happen durning 1983.

Take a look at MB bulletin.

very valuable info for anyone interested in buying a 380.

I bought a 81 380SL from a dealer that advertised the car as having the dual row conversion. About a year later I discovered it was a single chain. I'm still angry at myself for not checking into before I bought the car. It's too late now. I had the single row chain, guides and tensioner replaced. I plan on staying with the single row chain and if I ever need major engine work, upgrade to a double row chain. My mechanic told me to plan on a chain replacement in 50K miles as a regular maintenance action. I still love the car!

at one time i had one with a single row chain...

i head the chain slapping one day...and took it in... the old german mechanic said to have it replaced... this was long before the internet... it ran fine with the single row and i never had a problem in the next 50k miles before i sold the car...

that said...there is a comfort zone with the double row.

Does this mean my 83' has a new timing chain?


PO didnt leave me ANY records.

I remember reading a member in another forum say that all Euro models of the 380 had dual-row chains and that the US models had them sometime in the late 1982 production. He also mentioned that there was a campaign that the dealerships would convert from single to double row.

too bad in my case that wasnt an extended warranty item... :rolleyes: