Prototype Adjustable timing chain set

[blykins]

If you need a formal drawing Barry, let me know....I have AutoCAD here and I'm not scared to use it....

[jayb]

One of the two adjustable sets we've prototyped is on its way to Jay - he does not know that yet but will any second now

Yep, just got the UPS notice.  Nice surprise, Barry, I'll give you a call when I receive it.

[Nightmist66]

Any update on this project?

[Barry_R]

Cloyes has opted out for the time being.  They have agreed to supply basic components.  Means that I will need to do it myself.  I have way too many things happening at the moment, and am really trying to regroup, so its going to be a little while, but I will get them made.

[Nightmist66]

I figured that's how it would go. They probably think it is not a strong enough market.

[Barry_R]

They said they needed to focus resources on OEM replacement items this year.

[fekbmax]

This is a great idea. .  I hope you can make it happen and be avalable. 

[Tommy-T]

I'm just curious.

I can't say I've ever made the effort to take the front off a good running motor and move cam timing to find power.

So, lets say you have a hot street FE, a 454 incher with a " shelf" cam that runs mid to low 11's, in a 3500 car. You've degreed it in on the centerline method.

Is there really ET to be found? Dyno data maybe? Especially around a 308R or a 306S shelf grind?

[fastback 427]

Try page twelve on the technical section here. Jay did dyno testing on a thread called Effect of cam timing changes on torque and horsepower. Lots of cool data.

[Tommy-T]

Interesting data.

By Jays charts, you may want to adjust your cam timing from the cam manufacturers recommendation... if you have too much power and need to lose some!

Guess I crawl back into my hole now.

[jayb]

I think the real value of adjusting the cam timing is when you get a custom cam, maybe with lobes you pick yourself, and you don't get a timing recommendation from the cam company.  Then, having the ability to quickly adjust and test the cam timing, on the dyno or at the track, can be very valuable.  You can do that with an SOHC, of course, and with my 577" SOHC last year on the dyno, I found that the my 114 LSA cams made the most power at 103 on the right side and 106 on the left.  Would've never guessed that one...

[fekbmax]

Any new updates or progress on this baby ?

[jayb]

Barry and I have been trying to get this done together, but Barry has been so busy lately that we haven't been able to work together to get it done.  As a result, I have gone on alone and revamped the design somewhat, and ordered the adjustable gears myself.  I hope Barry isn't too pissed at me about that    Anyway, within 3-4 weeks I would expect to have a set of prototype gears to try out on a test engine.  Assuming that goes well, the first 50 sets of gears will be coming shortly thereafter.  I'll post some pictures of the prototype set when I get it.

The real issue for me right now is the timing chain.  For years and years I've used the Iwis/Jwis German-made chain, because it was generally considered to be very high quality and was a good, true roller chain.  However, recently these chains seem to be being delivered with a split roller, rather than a one piece tubular roller.  I will post some pictures of this later.  I don't really like the split roller that much, but if you order the good chain from Cloyes (Cloyes part number 9-133), that is what is currently being delivered.  I need to call Cloyes about this and see if the Iwis chain with the real tubular rollers is still available.  Maybe Iwis quit making them that way?

[fekbmax]

We will be watching and waiting, lol.  Thanks for the update.

[Qikbbstang]

Any chance you guys might consider a few springs & things to make that automatically variable?

    I think back on the days-of-old with Vari-Cam and Cam-A-Go and how it took the ignition timing along for a ride when it changed the cam timing (not exactly a good idea), and shudder (the perfect word) at the thought of an undampened spring trying to alter cam timing in the realm of a timing chain's harmonics and shock loads.

   Regardless there was a team that showed up at Engine Masters Challenge with a vintage Cam-A-Go not long ago and did pretty well didn't it?. You think about the all the infinitely variable stuff that goes on in a Ford Coyote's valvetrain...................

By the way Barry you aren't related to anyone with a last name TASCA....putting together your own  prototype and carrying a to the factory?