School me on M30 timing chains

[kkro]

Hi

I am restoring an M30 engine which has a single timing chain. I know some M30 engines have double chains. What is the story on this?

Which motors had single and double chains?
Which solution is better?
Are they interchangable?
Should I modify to a double chain?

Thanks for sharing your insight.

 

[sfdon]

Note that early engines had double chains and double gears which were deemed unnecessary on later engines until the M6 engines were produced with double chains and double gears...

 

[Wladek]

Which motors had single and double chains?
Which solution is better?
Are they interchangable?
Should I modify to a double chain?

Thanks for sharing your insight.

If we talk about reliabilty - double chain set will be stronger/durable (due to mechanical properties).
They are interchangable but only as set - 1. Double chain + double camshaft sprocket + double crankshaft sprocket, or 2. single chain + single camshaft sprocket + single crankshaft sprocket
You can modify it, but it will be much more expensive vs. "single"; double camshaft sprocket is NLA & very rare to find.