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The machinist tried a second timing chain from Max Merritt and it is also just a tiny tad short. He is thinking of heating the chain up as he installs it.

Is this a common problem?

Is this a common problem?

In 50+ years of engine work on Packards and other cars, I've NEVER heard of this being required, so absolutely NOT common. Are you also changing gears? If so, does the new chain fit easily with the old gears? If so one or more of the new gears may be the issue and not the chain. If you want to try another source, I'd suggest Egge, perhaps the largest in the hobby for engine parts.

Heating the chain would take the hardness out of it, wouldn't it???
John

ptv, my thoughts exactly but maybe if oven heated to 400ish it would go on? It may quickly stretch in service but if something seems wrong, something is pretty much wrong...
Maybe the old chain is the perfect length :)

I usually don't know what I'm talking about, as others here have pointed out to me from time-to-time, but do you have the right timing chain and gear set? Reason I ask, is that the 356 engine as well as the 288/327 engine was available in Packards that year. Maybe the supplier has sent the wrong set?

THANKS for the information!!!

Yes it sound odd to me as well however Packard is new to me.

The machinist is old school and I do have great faith in him. I am not nearby so I can't readily visit his shop.

I know the second timing chain and sprocket set was from Max Merritt and the machinist said that it looked superior to the first set. He said it is VERY close to slipping on and therefore the idea of heating up the chain in an oven was discussed (I imagine just a 250 degree bath). He rebuilt the entire engine so I imagine that he knows the difference..

THANKS AGAIN!!!

Bill

FWIW the "356" engine has a Morse 3682-R chain, 62 links, 1-1/4 and 0.375. The "282" engine used the same chain (Morse or Ramsey) but only 58 links. The "288/327" engine in the 22nd-23rd series used a different chain than the same engine used for 51-54 but I'm not aware of the differences between the two.

Have you compared the old to new chain for the # of links and the pitch?

Good Evening all...If this engine has just been rebuilt, then I would check the distance from the center of the crankshaft to the center of the camshaft. I have seen this distance change during the rebuild process. When this happens, one of the gears must be substituted for one that is a tad smaller or with a bit more room between the teeth. Egge might even have one slightly smaller or be able to make one. Also, many ring gears are heated and placed on flywheels. When they cool, then they are set in place. I can see why an old school mechanic might consider this approach. It might work, if it is not too tight when it cools. Ernie current custodian of 'Miss Prudence' a 1949 Deluxe.

When restoring my 1951 288 L8 I had an awful time getting the timing chain on. It was just a tiny bit too short and I spent HOURS trying to fit it. Chain was new (from Kanter IIRC), gear was original but in good condition. Everything else absolutely standard / original. It was just a very tight fit but when it did go on (after War Dances done and Offerings to The Gods) everything turned nicely and chain tension was good. I just tried a dozen ways and eventually one worked . . . Can't remember which way, but I tried many ways many times and eventually it went on.

My conclusion: just a mongrel of a hard job. Perhaps Kanter and MM have someone making these a little bit too small??

I'd heat it just a little - no need to give it heat that would alter hardness. Boiling water temp might do.

I would check the distance from the center of the crankshaft to the center of the camshaft. I have seen this distance change during the rebuild process.

Hi Ernie, can you give me an explanation of how this is possible?