Timing Sets

[DoubleDingo]

What is the advantage of a double roller timing set over the stock timing set? To me the stock one looks beefier with actual gear teeth instead of a sprocket looking like a beefed up bike sprocket.

 

[mtnmankev]

According to the rumors I have heard, the OEM mesh style chain is actually stronger than the roller type and is supposed to stretch less.
I'm not fully convinced though.
I have over 70K miles on a double roller and it has almost no stretch at all.
I would imagine a mesh type chain on steel gears would be quite adequate as long as it gets lubricated properly.
What is substandard on OEM is that damn aluminum gear with the plastic teeth.
I have bought many cars cheap that would not run because of that gear.

 

[DoubleDingo]

I have to pull my engine this weekend to fix an oil leak that I suspect is the rear main. And I have to fix an exhaust manifold bolt that decided to fail and I cannot get access to it in the truck. Figured while the engine is out, I will change the cam, and do a few other things so I don't have to do anything but preventative maintenance later on. I bought a timing set years ago when I bought the cam kit. It is the stock style but has cast gears, no plastic teeth. I was going to check the numbers at the parts store when I get my other parts, to make sure it will fit my 81 block. The pics I have seen of double roller, they don't look as strong as the stock type. I know they made them for a reason, I just cannot recall what the reason is. If the one I have will work for my set up, I will use it. But I am asking for pros and cons for each before I buy a double roller if the stock one I have won't work.

 

[mtnmankev]

My personal opinion, if it'll fit, go ahead and run it.
You're not going to have plastic gears or soft teeth to deal with.
It will be plenty strong and I would be willing to bet you won't need to do anything with it for 100,000 miles.
Now, if you are going to be producing 500+ horsepower and will be racing it, maybe there is something better.
I can't see you spend money on something else if it isn't needed, use the money you save and put it towards your other parts.

 

[DoubleDingo]

It's a stock 350, with stock vortec heads. The heads have stock springs.

The cam that is going it is an old school 300hp Cam.

Hydraulic Flat Tappet

Duration:
Intake=195
Exhaust=202

Separation
112*

Hot Lash
Intake=0.000
Exhaust=0.000

Lift
Intake=0.390
Exhaust=0.410

I found an article that said the stock type timing set is sufficient unless I am building for horsepower, and I am not. So if the timing set will fit, I will rock it on my engine. If it doesn't, I will save some money and get a stock timing set that will work.

Thanks for the input.