Will pop this back to the top...Still looking for ID.

 

This gear set is manufactured in India by SRS gear Co and is not a true roller chain...

 

Many THANKS Kermit :shakehands:...Tells me exactly what I need to know.

I will stick with my Cloyes then

 

If you look at the roller, it will have a seam where it is split if not a true roller. The true roller chain rollers are solid all the way around. Has mainly to do with construction which facilitates longevity or lack there of.

 

If you look at the roller, it will have a seam where it is split if not a true roller. The true roller chain rollers are solid all the way around.

This evening I compared the Cloyes True Roller and my unknown timing gear set...I see no difference in the rollers.

Unknown on left and Cloyes on right:

 

Thanks Speedbump. I'll check that out. Learn something new here everyday

 

Bumping this back to the top...Still curious

 

Gotta bump. curious also

 

Pretty grainy picture but I can't see any seams in any of the rollers so I'll say both are true roller chains.

 

Pops
I found this page explaining the difference. Seems to involve the link pins and the tube that covers them.

http://www.onallcylinders.com/2013/07/26/standard-vs-roller-timing-chains/

 

Excellent article David....I will save it to my files, after reading and looking at my chain again....THANKS for finding and posting buddy. :shakehands:

 

Good article. Shows there are several variations in design - and they affect strength and chain life.

I've never seen a chain with a "split roller", though they probably exist. But there are many other variations, as described in the article.

The Cloyes "true roller" is definitely the standard of the industry - and has been for about 50 years. The only setups that really challenge it are totally different designs, like gears or belts. Most race engines use either a Jesel or Comp Cams belt these days, but they've never caught on for the street.

 

Well I just had an interesting development occur with this mystery timing gear set ID....While examining the chain, I saw no physical difference between it and the Cloyes, other that the color of the metal....But, the big discovery was that it is stamped Made in USA.

 

Here is a pic of a split bushing roller timing set. Marketed/packaged by a major cam and components company. It is one of their lower to mid range priced products for a BBC and is indicative of many lower priced double roller timing chain sets.

 

Interest stuff Speedbump...Thanks for posting

On another note, I found this flat tappet cam timing set today by accident....I happened to be putting another item away on top of the top shelf of my work bench, when I discovered it....It says Summit all over the box and is stamped SRS 3100 on the cam gear.

 

"Flat tappet" timing chain? Why would it be different?

(Hint: it's not.)

 

The bolt pattern is different on the cam gear.

(Hint: it is.)

https://www.summitracing.com/parts/CLO-9-3545X9

Notes: Standard center distance of 4.521 in. For factory roller camshaft motors.

 

That timing set will work on any flat or conversion roller cam. The factory rollers have a step on the front for a thrust plate, making the bolt pattern and the thickness different. had the experience converting a Gen V BBC truck engine that was machined for roller but came with a flat tappet cam in the pick ups. Converting using GM parts was far cheaper than aftermarket if you're doing a street engine and not wanting crazy power.
From my experience, the best timing sets use IWIS chain,(German) including Cloyes and rollmaster. The Rolon chain is cheaper and made in India and some of the gears are made differently which also affects price. Just another one of those times when you don't get nothin for nothin. The USA stamp, in this case, doesn't guarantee quality.

 

Well you guys are right. So was I, but I was thinking in a different perspective. I was thinking early blocks vs. late blocks, not flat vs. roller. You can put either in either block with the correct combination of parts. Rollers in early blocks were not factory. Flat tappets in later blocks were used as well as rollers - most truck TBI engines were flat tappet.

 

Flat tappets in later blocks were used as well as rollers - most truck TBI engines were flat tappet.

I know this is off topic (sorry Pops), but do you or anyone else here know the reasoning why GM did that? I have one of the trucks with flat tappets, and a friend has a car with rollers of the same engine and year. We're at a loss to explain, and both of us are really curious.

As a side note,
I had a close friend (passed away) who was a GM mechanic. He had told me that he'd never seen a truck from 88 to 94 come in with a flat lobe, and that they always did oil changes with the newer low zinc oil. I have a crummy old 88 truck, and still running good with over 300k on it. Yet another curiosity considering all the 'expert' talk I hear.

 

Just as an aside....I believe all aftermarket sbc roller cams have the same bolt pattern as the factory roller cams....I first noticed this when I went to install a Lunati roller cam and my installation tool did not fit.

 

Not correct in my experience. All roller cams for factory roller blocks have the same pattern which is different than the standard, forever Gen 1 small block.

 

Didn't we just say the same thing is different ways :confused0006:

 

No, an aftermarket roller cam for an early block has the same bolt pattern as the flat tappet cam for an early block.

The distinction goes to the block configuration, not the camshaft style. Block, cam core, and timing set must all match.

 

No, an aftermarket roller cam for an early block has the same bolt pattern as the flat tappet cam for an early block.

Sounds reasonable and makes sense....A retrofit roller cam will have the early flat tappet cam bolt pattern...The factory roller and replacements will have a different bolt pattern.