The inline five's back

[cobram at juno.com]

On the 380 single row chain, you have the option of either keeping the
single chain and changing it every 90K or so miles (pretty easy, easier
than a TB on a V8Q IMHO), or you can install a double row chain kit which
is a bit more expensive, but will give you longer service life.

As for the "special" tool, I've always found a coat hanger comes in
handy.

There is no comparison between a 'merican big three chain and a Mercyless
Benz.  The American design (talking big blocks etc, NOT the new stuff
being put out) is a short, VERY robust chain that turns nothing more than
a single cam shaft.  On the Mercyless (and many others now) design, the
chain is LONG, goes around two or more Overhead Cams, has oil pressure
tensioner and is a much more complicated animal with guide rails etc.

The one chain-two gear setup can be replaced with an aftermarket product
(name escapes me at the moment.) which uses two gears in the center to
eliminate the chain, kind of looks like an oil pump on steroids.  These
kits are very popular replacements for the GM diesels.

As for never having a problem, well, I've replaced quite a few loose
'merican chains/gears.  Depending on the oil changes (or lack thereof)
they will start slapping around in as little as 80K miles sometimes.
Stretching is normal, and it's downright amazing sometimes how badly
stretched some chains can get, yet the car still runs.


BCNU,
http://www.geocities.com/cobramsri/

TWFAUST at aol.com writes:

>  I remember that replacement of the single row chain on the MB 380
> was recommended because of a high failure rate. Didn't realize it was
> such a problem. What causes it?  I have been fooling around with big
block
> Mopars since I was a kid and have never heard of a broken chain.
However,
> they did put double chains on their motorhome/industrial motors.

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