A simple test is to remove the distributor cap, and watch the rotor while you crank the engine. Delayed movement is a sign of loosness. Paul In an email dated Fri, 4 3 2005 5:41:30 pm GMT, "Eric" <gearhead@xxxxxxxxxxx> writes: >Kle, >The nylon coated cam sprocket progressively degrades until at one point >there isn't enough material on it to hold the chain tight enough and then >the chain will slip. I think the chain rarely fails due to breaking a link, >though the chain will stretch some. >With a timing light, you can pretty well tell the condition of the timing >set by looking for any skip in the timing mark. I experienced a surging at >high speeds that was constant and rhythmic until the new chain set was >installed. With the worn set, I would have to jab the throttle to the floor >to get it off of high idle when cold, I believe that was a symptom of low >vacuum based on the cam being out of time with the crank, causing not enough >of an air rush through the carburetor air horn to open up the choke plate. >Someone mentioned that the chain set will fail at start up, usually. While >this may be, mine failed on an exit ramp just as I fully lifted my foot off >the gas pedal, creating an engine braking force. The motor died, then >cranked irregularly. I could see the rotor skip when I cranked the motor >after I finally got the car home. >In answer, the chain assembly will fully fail at once, but with plenty of >clues that its about to go. The 440 is a non-interference motor. > >Eric >Portland, Oregon >______________________________________________________ >From: "Klebert L. Hall" <swampyankee@xxxxxxx> >Subject: Re: IML: Timing chain >Date: Fri, 4 Mar 2005 07:43:05 -0500 >Reply-To: mailing-list@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx >>From: "Robin Giesbrecht" <robings@xxxxxxxxxxx> >>Subject: IML: main bearings, oil pressure gauge >> >>Next is the cam and timing chain.Looking at that timing chain(slack) from >>the crankcase while doing the bearings made me shudder. > > ? Correct me if I'm wrong, but when the timing chain goes in these cars, >don't they just stop? That's always been my experience with old pushrod >cars... The 440 isn't a valve-interference engine, is it? > ? ?-Kle. > ? ?'69 Crown 4DHT > > > >----------------- ?http://www.imperialclub.com ?----------------- >This message was sent to you by the Imperial Mailing List. Please >reply to mailing-list@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx and your response will be >shared with everyone. Private messages (and attachments) for the >Administrators should be sent to webmaster@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx >To UN-SUBSCRIBE, go to http://imperialclub.com/unsubscribe.htm > > ----------------- http://www.imperialclub.com ----------------- This message was sent to you by the Imperial Mailing List. Please reply to mailing-list@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx and your response will be shared with everyone. Private messages (and attachments) for the Administrators should be sent to webmaster@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx To UN-SUBSCRIBE, go to http://imperialclub.com/unsubscribe.htm