Who makes the best timing chain?

[SSDiv6]

What everyone calls timing chain stretch is actually wear.
Both the gear and pins will wear, based on the loads the timing set experiences from operating RPM levels and the high spring rates used in the valvetrain.

The reason I believe Rollmaster is superior to other makes is due to their use of Nitrided billet gears and their premium sets use a German Iwis chain.

[Crisco]

What about link style chain sets? Ive always heard they were better than a roller style because of less harmonics being transferred through the valve train..Anyone else heard this?

[Tim H]

Originally Posted by Crisco

What about link style chain sets? Ive always heard they were better than a roller style because of less harmonics being transferred through the valve train..Anyone else heard this?

I think Grumpy used to claim that back in the '70's ...

[CFMCNC]

In the 70s all the best Pro-Stocks,Modified Elim,Stockers and Super Stockers used aluminun nylon upper gears and link belt chains,they dampened harmonics better than steel gears .We never had a failure with the Alum-Nylon -Link-belt stuff ,and later Jesel belt drives became the norm,with the rubber belt also dampening harmonics.Bill C.

[SSDiv6]

Originally Posted by Crisco

What about link style chain sets? Ive always heard they were better than a roller style because of less harmonics being transferred through the valve train..Anyone else heard this?

There are still some link style chain sets used for racing.
One example is the Ford Racing timing set, Part Number M-6268-F302.

[John Kissel]

As far as vibrations and harmonics effecting chains goes, Pontiac had to come out with a better chain for the 195" 4cyl. which was 1/2 of a 389 due to the vibrations of that engine. The links had a wave type of a flat spring between the links and they would last. They were the chain to use in a Pontiac before the roller chains came out. If anyone on here knows of any GM# 9772801 chains or the version Republic Gear made, please let me know. John Kissel K242

[CFMCNC]

Originally Posted by John Kissel

As far as vibrations and harmonics effecting chains goes, Pontiac had to come out with a better chain for the 195" 4cyl. which was 1/2 of a 389 due to the vibrations of that engine. The links had a wave type of a flat spring between the links and they would last. They were the chain to use in a Pontiac before the roller chains came out. If anyone on here knows of any GM# 9772801 chains or the version Republic Gear made, please let me know. John Kissel K242

Have one here in original GM box,Keep it for conversion piece,It actually belongs to Allpontiacs,Frank Gostyla ,it is a Morse product,I will check and see if he wants to sell it.Bill C.

[Alan Roehrich]

At one point, Speed Pro came out with a premium quality "link belt" timing set for racing use, it had heat treated steel gears and a premium chain. I know Speed Pro did not make it, not sure if it was a Borg Warner or another brand, Kevin would probably know. It was, however, more expensive than even a Cloyes Tru-Roller, which has been the "gold standard" for decades. Between the reluctance to put a "stock" timing set on a race engine, and the higher price, it did not sell well and they gave up on it quickly.

Yes, Grump ran a stock GM timing set for years, right up until the Jesel came out. It was a little known "hot setup" for a while.

[carl hinkson]

Originally Posted by SSDiv6

What everyone calls timing chain stretch is actually wear.
Both the gear and pins will wear, based on the loads the timing set experiences from operating RPM levels and the high spring rates used in the valvetrain.

The reason I believe Rollmaster is superior to other makes is due to their use of Nitrided billet gears and their premium sets use a German Iwis chain.

I have used the cloyes hex-a-just set ups for years and so far all I have seen is the IWIS chains and have seen no problems.

Like I sais earlier some times if stock cam bearings are used with a high spring pressures the cam bearing will flatten out causing the chain to be lose.

To the OP which cloyes set up did you have??