Fox Timing Chains, Valve Springs & Cam Material

[RangerJoe]

Title says it: Three areas I need some advice/opinions on.

1) Currently run a Melling chain, nothing wrong with it, but its been through 3 cams and I want to replace it this go around when I do my new HCI. Melling recommends not exceeding 6500rpms, which is the max I want to spin my stock block to anyways. I also read good things about the Cloyes timing chain.

-Question: Are the basic $35 timing chains from these companies reliable enough to take the abuse of a street/strip stroker that sees 6500 rpms, or do I need to spring for one of the more expensive $100+ sets?

2) Current springs:
Dual Springs
1.86 Install Height
145lbs on seat, around 350-360lbs at .600
Coil Bind at 1.09

-Concern/question: Pressures are good. Even if I run a .600 lift cam, I get .170 coil bind clearance (if my math is correct, and I understand the valve spring concepts correctly). I am reading that this is way too much and can cause "spring surge". Thoughts, opinions? Is this too much?

3) Cam material, billet versus sadi core. I currently run HV oil pump, arp shaft and stock distributor and stock distributor gear. No cam picked out yet. I have run both cam materials with no problems, currently run a billet piece. Is there any truth to sadi core cam gears being eaten when running HV oil pumps? Do I need to ensure I get a billet, or drop down to a standard pump?

Thanks in advance with the help guys!

Joe

 

[flstang65]

What about a good gear drive or belt drive set up?

 

[RangerJoe]

Gear drives are noisy, and from what I've read, transfer more harmonics into an already weak block. Secondly, both are more costly than the aforementioned $35 pieces. If I was going to spend that much, it would be just as reasonable to purchase a very high quality traditional style timing chain.

Joe

 

[liljoe07]

For what its worth, the Summit Brand Billet timing sets are actually SA Gear timing sets. Nice piece for the money. Comes with a torrington bearing and 9 way adjustable crank gear. Youll need to use a 82* countersink bit on the cam thrust plate for the countersunk screws that come with it. About $70. Add a few more smalls things to the order and you skip the shipping charge. Like me, youll be stuck with the tax though.

 

[revhead347]

I've always gone with the standard Ford double roller timing set. The iron one which is like $59. $35 has me too suspicious. Sounds like a Chinese job. The last time, I just replaced the chain and not the gears. The gears don't really wear unless something goes wrong anyway. It's a Cloyes 9-130 or something like that. It fits the Ford set as well. Probably fits almost all of them.

Kurt

 

[RangerJoe]

Jut looked at the Summit piece. At $70, it looks to be a good compromise on quality vs. cost. Billet steel on both sprockets, Torrington bearing and true roller.

Now, any takers on the valve springs or Sadi vs billet?

Joe

 

[srtthis]

We ran a roll master billet timing set into the 4.80 range