TR6 Timing chain

Looking at timing chains for my Tr6 engine rebuild. Moss has 2 listed. One for $8 and a upgrade to $40. What a huge difference. What is the difference, who makes it and is it worth the extra $. they are both double row too and don't what a cheap one it's got to last.

When I did the resto on my 6 approx eight years ago I ordered a new timing chain from a major supplier. When it arrived it had a sticker that said “Made in India”. I returned it and kept the original.

Timing chain is just a roller chain, like any bike chain. When I managed a bike service shop, I'd always tell people to get the best chain they could afford because what you're paying for is materials and machining/tolerances. Chains "stretch" by the pin the rollers ride on wearing, and letting the end plates wear grooves into them so the effective length between each link gets slightly larger. On better chains, the pins are a much harder steel so they wear slower than a cheaper chain with softer metal in the pins.
If you can get the spec on the more expensive chain and make sure it's got better steel and higher tolerances, I'd go with the more expensive chain. What's an extra $30-40 in the scheme of an engine rebuild?

yep I agree Alfred but there is such a difference in price and I'm with you on the cost of the rebuild but also understand what Elliot is saying. A lot of discussion about the quality of our parts anymore and who is to say that the uprated chain isn't made in a lessor quality in a plant in India, China or the like. If you see a TRW, Beck Arnley, Cloyes, ITM or any more recognizable name is it best to by that one?

Got_All_4 said:

yep I agree Alfred but there is such a difference in price and I'm with you on the cost of the rebuild but also understand what Elliot is saying. A lot of discussion about the quality of our parts anymore and who is to say that the uprated chain isn't made in a lessor quality in a plant in India, China or the like. If you see a TRW, Beck Arnley, Cloyes, ITM or any more recognizable name is it best to by that one?

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It says on the Moss website that the expensive chain is made by Iwis in Germany. The Iwis name is not as recognizable as, say, TRW; but they are known for quality timing components and are OEM suppliers to the likes of BMW and Mercedes. In Stag circles, they are known as the gold standard, as the cheap chains have been known to fail in as little as 20,000 miles. The Stag motor is an interference design, so a broken chain is major damage.

IMO, Moss has a markup of around 40-50%, so that are paying about $4 wholesale for that $8 chain. Now count the number of parts involved. I don't know how many links a TR6 uses offhand, but each link involves 2 side plates, a center plate, two rollers and a pin; all of which are critical to long life. The pins and rollers should be a quality steel alloy, hardened and tempered to the right hardness. The plates have to be just the right length between the holes, and the holes have to fit the pins. Add some tooling, and now how much is left over for inspection?

I'd pop for the $40 version.
In fact, I've got a pair of Iwis chains on the shelf for my Stag motor, and they cost me a lot more than $40.

My Dad used to say "There's a certain price you have to pay for hay. Of course, it's cheaper after it's been through the horse!"

Just think of the time and effort to replace a timing chain. Buy the best available.

Another problem with the "pride of India" timing chains is the side plates have a rough edge that tend to wear a groove in the equally crappy 3rd world tensioner. The "economy sprocket set was also a disappointment as the crank sprocket ID required honing to fit and the steel seemed softer than the original. The parts didn't come from Moss, but probably from the same source.
Berry

" Buy the best available.'
That's what I'm trying to do.

Having been involved with chain sales for many years let me make one statement. The best chain I have ever dealt with was German and Iwis was the brand. Finis

I would say look for quality first US UK cheep is not cheep twice second look at other than Moss.

used to do a plethora of Jaguar engines--always used the Italian REGINA EXTRA brand--never a probleem. the India and China chains use substandard steel--also why TR motor liners were a problem not that many years ago--cheap steel. to solve the TR bore issue- we rebored the original liners and had new piston ordered from Jahns or Venolia in Cal. in proper oversize. BTW- we kept the $$$ in the USA!!!