Posted: Thu Feb 05, 2009 3:50 pm
A Hi-Vo chain (multi-plate, or silent chain<--- there's a misnomer if ever there was one) advantage is that it spreads the load across the sprocket teeth and chain plates well rather than concentrating that load on a small-ish chain roller and sprocket tooth, like a conventional chain. A multi-plate runs on sprockets that have wider teeth to accommodate the plates than those on regular roller-type sprockets. I don't think the 2 types are interchangeable ('think' is the key work here, I may be wrong.... but I doubt it 
), you need a complete set of sprockets and chain to make that work, and one of those sprockets is built into the crankshaft. Not really a viable option.
Also as far as I know, there is no such a thing as a masterlink for multi-plate chains, the design just does not lend itself to such an item, no room on the sides for one thing. Staked pins are the norm, done at the factory on any such chain I've ever seen.
With the chain running on the cam sprocket like it would be when assembled (more or less) try lifting the chain off the sprocket at the top of the sprocket. If you can lift the chain and expose more than about half the sprocket tooth, the chain is getting pretty sloppy. When it's this worn, you are taking a chance of the chain skipping a tooth and throwing out the cam timing, maybe pushing valves into pistons and other bad things.
It is possible that the camchain adjuster was sticky (not uncommon) and that is what the P.O. heard. Once it was disassembled, you can't really tell if it was sticky before, and it will probably be freed-up now. If the rest of the motor looks as good as it does, chances are the camchain is serviceable too. Check it out and make your decision, and keep in mind what you want out of this motor. It's got 90k on it now, if you get another 50k out of it, your getting more than your money's worth just by re-assembling it. If your going to throw some bucks at it, wait till you can throw all the bucks you need to do the whole thing properly, or what you do sink into it is half wasted. This last bit is just my opinion, but that don't mean it ain't right, lol. Don't mean it is right either, but you get the idea.
), you need a complete set of sprockets and chain to make that work, and one of those sprockets is built into the crankshaft. Not really a viable option.Also as far as I know, there is no such a thing as a masterlink for multi-plate chains, the design just does not lend itself to such an item, no room on the sides for one thing. Staked pins are the norm, done at the factory on any such chain I've ever seen.
With the chain running on the cam sprocket like it would be when assembled (more or less) try lifting the chain off the sprocket at the top of the sprocket. If you can lift the chain and expose more than about half the sprocket tooth, the chain is getting pretty sloppy. When it's this worn, you are taking a chance of the chain skipping a tooth and throwing out the cam timing, maybe pushing valves into pistons and other bad things.
It is possible that the camchain adjuster was sticky (not uncommon) and that is what the P.O. heard. Once it was disassembled, you can't really tell if it was sticky before, and it will probably be freed-up now. If the rest of the motor looks as good as it does, chances are the camchain is serviceable too. Check it out and make your decision, and keep in mind what you want out of this motor. It's got 90k on it now, if you get another 50k out of it, your getting more than your money's worth just by re-assembling it. If your going to throw some bucks at it, wait till you can throw all the bucks you need to do the whole thing properly, or what you do sink into it is half wasted. This last bit is just my opinion, but that don't mean it ain't right, lol. Don't mean it is right either, but you get the idea.
