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Is my torrington roller thrust bearing needed on my timing chain? SBC

12K views 7 replies 5 participants last post by  jhonnydivine 
#1 ·
Hi guys I am in the process of tearing down my 350 sbc for a cam swap and I should have it all open to swap out cams by Thursday. I installed a jegs billet steel timing chain set last summer and it came with a torrington roller bearing on the back of the cam sprocket. The block has been clearanced for double roller chain anyways and was wondering do I really need to use it? I don't really want to get a new timing chain since mine should still be good since I have only about a few hundres miles on it.

I would like to take it out so I don't have to worry about it failing on me and then end up with roller bearings throught out my engine. Has anyone ran a similar timing chain like this and went with out it with no problems? Is it really necessary to run one.
Thanks guys.
Eric
 
#2 ·
eric32 said:
Hi guys I am in the process of tearing down my 350 sbc for a cam swap and I should have it all open to swap out cams by Thursday. I installed a jegs billet steel timing chain set last summer and it came with a torrington roller bearing on the back of the cam sprocket. The block has been clearanced for double roller chain anyways and was wondering do I really need to use it? I don't really want to get a new timing chain since mine should still be good since I have only about a few hundres miles on it.

I would like to take it out so I don't have to worry about it failing on me and then end up with roller bearings throught out my engine. Has anyone ran a similar timing chain like this and went with out it with no problems? Is it really necessary to run one.
Thanks guys.
Eric
I share your worries over roller thrust bearings coming apart. My personal choice would be to use a simple washer style thrust bearing. Keep in mind that the chain needs to be aligned thru the gears. This means that cam gear is usually clearanced for a thrust bearing when one is supplied. The OEM gear runs against the block without benefit of a thrust bearing. This is mostly OK to run the aluminum gear hub against the cast iron block, but it does mean that the block face is subject to possible wear and this is an item not easily repaired, so a thrust washer is a good idea to protect the block.

Bogie
 
#4 ·
Well that sucks :mad: I was hoping to not have to have it on there. I ordered a bronze thrust bearing from summit but it would not fit it so I don't really want to buy a new 70 plus dollar timing chain right now. My hours at work have been cut so I have lost some income and just have enough to get gaskets etc to seal everything back up. O well I will see. Thanks for info
Eric
 
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