I am wondering how many of you have had a timing chain totally fail while the engine was running. And how many suffered major engine damage to components like the valves, the timing cover, ect?

I've got two under my belt. Same vehicle. First time at 100 -120k miles (if I remember correctly). Second time at 260K miles, 30k miles after installing a new set. First time was while starting up in the driveway; the starter just spun the engine like it had no compression. Easy repair; no additional problems. Second time was under power going down the road. Don't know the full extent of the damages yet. -- Matt

I threw the timing while driving in my 85 truck @ 157,000Mi.
the nexttime i went to start it though the battery was also dead and so i tryed to jump start it by having some one drag me around walmart but as soon as i let the clutch out there was a very loud clanking noise. the noise was from my pistons hitting the valves and cracking the head. to fix it i only really needed a new head but when when we drained the oil their was bronze in oil meaning the bearings were bad. I ended up putting a jegs performance motor in with a webber carb and replaced the clutch and radiator while i was at it. It was $5,000 to get my truck running again i don't know if it was worth it but it runs sooo good now.

Ouch! That's too rich for my budget. I think I'll just get a new timing chain and an EB head, while mine is off for the repairs. -- Matt

Had my truck simply stutter; TC was stretched. Just happened to be parked and couldn't get it started again. Bent a couple valves; clanged one piston. Hope you have good news about the pistons when you get the head off. That was at 194K, original owner.

Yeah $5K--- that's a pooch. <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/zombie.gif" alt="" />

$5000? My stroker doesn't sound to bad now. What did you spend $5000 on?

$5000? My stroker doesn't sound to bad now. What did you spend $5000 on? [/quote]

WEll the jasper long block with the performance cam was $2700 the clutch was $700 The webber high performance carb was $500, i also got new plugs and wires and add all that to the time it took to pull the head on the old motor to diagnose the problem and the time it took to swapp motors and parts onto the new long block and install all the rest of the stuff and at $100 dollars an hour it was close to $5k

Kalifornia shop rates <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/rolleyes.gif" alt="" /> When a three bedroom tract house costs $600k ($800k over by Roger Brown) the shop needs to charge $100/hr just to make ends meet. Still $60/hr here in the rural midwest (and $200k for that tract house). Although we pay a heavy rust tax. <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/smile.gif" alt="" /> -- Matt

<img src="/forums/images/graemlins/sleeping.gif" alt="" />
ok back on topic my 94 pickup had 269k on it original motor and i started gettin water in the oil. so thinkin that i had blown a head gasket or worpt the head i took it apart had the head rebuilt and machined, replaced the gaskets put it back together and it still was getting water in the oil. so i figured it must be a cracked block and i replaced the engine. after gettin the truck up and running again i herd about how the plastic guides for the TC have a habit of breaking and sure enough when i took the old motor apart the guides were gone and the chain rubbed right through into the water pump. WISH I KNEW THAT EARLIER <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/scared.gif" alt="" /> <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/scared.gif" alt="" /> --- DOUG

Thank GOD I took automotive shop (and had a cool gearhead Dad with some money) in highschool and know how to work on my own stuff.

I've had the chain eat through the cover once. Welded the hole in the cover and new chain kit.

110k miles later I had the chain skip a tooth. Second gear doughnuts out at Mudfest. <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/smile.gif" alt="" />
Guide had broken ~3months eariler and I didn't replace it right away. Chain must have had some streach to it and the motor shut down once it had skipped.