Timing chains with torrington bearing

Anybody use these? Does the block need machining or is the cam gear machined for it?

jbozzelle wrote:Anybody use these?  Does the block need machining or is the cam gear machined for it?

I am no expert on this I can only offer the feedback I have received, my understanding is for most no machining is required, but if the bearing fails it is just more tiny parts to be fed through you engine, and there is not a lot of failures due to cam contact with the thrust plate. I would like to hear the Guru's tune in here too as my opinion is that it is a good concept with an expensive and poor execution.

They run 'em with DannyBees and I've heard zero complaints...including with mine. They only question here is if you feel you need one or not.

We've always ran them with no problems. It's like anything else. You can't expect it to last forever.

The Ford racing roller thrust requires the back of the cam gear machined

Thanks. Was just curious. Saw them when looking for a chain for this budget 351 build I've got going on right now. Saw chins with the Torrington bearings and bronze thrust washers...

Also, since this is just a mild street engine using the stock cam retainer plate should I run a cast iron cam gear because the billet steel gear will chew into the cam retainer plate?

I should be looking for a cast iron cam gear timing set, or use a timing set with the billet steel gear and bronze thrust washer?

I'm honestly confused here.  On my 514 I'm using a bronze cam retainer plate and the FRPP timing set with billet steel gears.  I just recall someone mentioning how the billet steel gears will chew the retainer plate, etc...

Reason I'm confused is I want a true roller chain with a 9 position crank sprocket. But then it gets confusing with the billet gears, Torrington bearings, bronze washers, etc.

I have ran the Torrington bearings in all of my engines for the last 15 years. The summit brand true roller kit is made by SA gear, as with most of the other brands and you can't go wrong. There is a roller bearing set up from them as well. All small block fords that were factory roller cams, are steel cams. So, don't be worried about wearing the thrust plate. If you go to a roller setup, you won't have to worry about it anyways. It's the little stuff that helps build HP

If you have a cast flat tappet cam.....iron cam gear, iron diz gear, iron cam retainer plate. Simple and cost effective.

I am running one on my 552 it is a comp cam true roller with the bearing it fit fine I didn't have to do any machine work

Lem Evans wrote:If you have a cast flat tappet cam.....iron cam gear, iron diz gear, iron cam retainer plate. Simple and cost effective.

Thanks Lem! That's the info I needed. I have a cast cam core (hyd roller) and the original cast retainer plate. And I think summit makes a cast cam gear set with a 9 position crank gear.