wtf?! My timing chain doesnt have different color links! (pics inside)

[redsx13]

So my SR idles like crap and i suspect my aftermarket cams (came in the motor) of causing the problem. so i pulled the valve cover to check that the timing marks on the cam gears line up with the lighter color links on the timing chain and this is what i found....

(im almost 100% sure that those white marks on the chain aren't factory)also, check out the bottom pic (exhaust cam) notice the inner set of holes that go around the gear, thats not stock is it?





do i have an aftermarket chain?
Modified by redsx13 at 1:30 PM 3/2/2009

[jr_ss]

Have you checked to see if the chain was on backwards? I believe they have either a different colored link or a dot like the sprocket...

If it were me, Id rotate the motor around while looking at the back side of the chain to make sure it wasnt put on backwards.

[Hijacker]

I've seen where the links were all golden and discolored, nullifying the factory colored links.

However, your chain looks somewhat new. It's possible that someone ordered a chain from Beck-Arnley or some company like that. I used a BA chain years ago, and it was marked properly, but other companies might not do that. At least whoever did the job was kind enough to mark the links.

[burntricer]

also the holes in the gears look like it maybe an adj cam gear...

[burntricer]

[redsx13]

the chain actually has a name stamped into it, you can see it in the second picture, on the link to the left of the one that is marked, does anyone know offhand if the stock chain has a name on it? if so what that name is?

my main concern is that the chain may have jumped a tooth, and w/o the factory markings, all i have to go off of is those painted white marks, which for all i know could be wrong. maybe there is something else i can do to verify that the marks are in the right spot. cam lobe position? cas markings?

aftermarket parts really make diagnosing a car a b****!

[DOHC20sr]

after doing it many times, i have figured out that you dont need those gold links on the chain. run #1 cylinder to tdc, make sure your cams are in the right position. 12 0 clock on ex, 10 0 clock on intake. count over to the left, from the ex to in. the dot on the in. should be the 10th full link over.

[redsx13]

after doing it many times, i have figured out that you dont need those gold links on the chain. run #1 cylinder to tdc, make sure your cams are in the right position. 12 0 clock on ex, 10 0 clock on intake. count over to the left, from the ex to in. the dot on the in. should be the 10th full link over.

thanks i will try that

[supreamS14]

The timing marks on my links were very hard to see. I looked at the FSM pics of the timing chane and counted links from the 1 gold link I could see. I had to turn the motor over about 20 times. I then could very slightly see the gray links. I installed the intake cam 1 tooth off once years back so I have been there.

[redsx13]

The timing marks on my links were very hard to see. I looked at the FSM pics of the timing chane and counted links from the 1 gold link I could see. I had to turn the motor over about 20 times. I then could very slightly see the gray links. I installed the intake cam 1 tooth off once years back so I have been there.

how did the motor run when it was one tooth off? did it noticeably effect the motor at all rpms? my problem is really only at idle. maybe you can help me rule this one out.

[supreamS14]

It ran bad @ all rpms.

[idahotuner]

i had both cams off by 2 teet hin the same drrection and the motor sounded lieka freakign tractor when it ran