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Bought a new timing chain for the 1948 356 Packard from the large engine parts vendor in TX. The chain is one link wider than the original. Is this normal? I would think it would have been the same width. Furthermore, I can't get it to go on. I've had the original on & off several times with no problem, but when I try to put the new one on I just can't get the cam sprocket to go on. I put the chain on both sprockets, slide it on the crank first, then on the camshaft. I'm watching that the key is lined up too. Anyone experience any of this? The vendor says it's the right part and that it's wider shouldn't matter. I'm thinking of sending it back and going with a different vendor.

Just got off the phone with Kanter. They have the same replacement chain that's wider than the original sold individually. If you buy the gear set with the chain, it's actually a narrower gear set & chain than the original. So it looks like I can't get the original width chain from the normal parts suppliers.

Did you try Egge?

The original is mostly likely stretched from years of running time so that is why it is easier to install. The new chain will be tighter the width makes will make no difference. The only time the width will come into play is timing chain cover clearance. I would suggest a light coat of grease on the crank shaft and cam shaft. The key is to get both the crank and cam gear just started and work them on evenly. You may need a rubber mallet or a block of wood to help work the gears on. I
managed to find our only original chain and it is one link narrow but over all length is the same.

<a href="http://s671.photobucket.com/user/JamesRFrom/media/Packard%20400/NCM_0113.jpg.html" target="_blank"><img src="http://i671.photobucket.com/albums/vv72/JamesRFrom/Packard%20400/NCM_0113.jpg" border="0" alt=" photo NCM_0113.jpg"/></a>

<a href="http://s671.photobucket.com/user/JamesRFrom/media/Packard%20400/NCM_0112.jpg.html" target="_blank"><img src="http://i671.photobucket.com/albums/vv72/JamesRFrom/Packard%20400/NCM_0112.jpg" border="0" alt=" photo NCM_0112.jpg"/></a>

Thanks
James From
Kanter Auto Products

The original is mostly likely stretched from years of running time so that is why it is easier to install. The new chain will be tighter the width makes will make no difference. The only time the width will come into play is timing chain cover clearance. I would suggest a light coat of grease on the crank shaft and cam shaft. The key is to get both the crank and cam gear just started and work them on evenly. You may need a rubber mallet or a block of wood to help work the gears on. I
managed to find our only original chain and it is one link narrow but over all length is the same.

<a href="http://s671.photobucket.com/user/JamesRFrom/media/Packard%20400/NCM_0113.jpg.html" target="_blank"><img src="http://i671.photobucket.com/albums/vv72/JamesRFrom/Packard%20400/NCM_0113.jpg" border="0" alt=" photo NCM_0113.jpg"/></a>

<a href="http://s671.photobucket.com/user/JamesRFrom/media/Packard%20400/NCM_0112.jpg.html" target="_blank"><img src="http://i671.photobucket.com/albums/vv72/JamesRFrom/Packard%20400/NCM_0112.jpg" border="0" alt=" photo NCM_0112.jpg"/></a>

Thanks
James From
Kanter Auto Products

If oil pan is removed then try placing a jack under the crank to raise it a little.
Or, stick a long bolt in end of crank to lever it closer to cam.

I got the new chain on. I gently tapped on the timing gear with a rubber hammer and that did the trick. The original chain is narrower than the replacements available, but the new chain does not seem to hit the timing cover, so I guess it's OK.

old chain.




new chain.




You can see why I wanted to replace it.

Glad to hear you got the new chain on. All I can say is wow on how much the old chain had stretched. That must have messed with the timing just slightly.

James