In a message dated 2/20/2008 2:03:15 P.M. Eastern Standard Time,
echristley@nc.rr.com writes:
Ed
Anderson wrote:
> Ernest,
>
> Not trying to talk you out of
replacing the chain, but I have never
> found one, yet, that was the
recommended 3/8". They all had more play
> - even the brand new
ones. I'd check with Lynn on this item.
That would not make me sad, at
all. The chain appears to be in very
good condition, no play or
looseness at all. What say you, Lynn?
The engine was designed with a very nice chain tensioner with a rubber
rubbing block. If you turned the engine over backwards often enough you would
break off chunks of that rubber block. Worse, if the block fell off, then the
metal mount would rub on the chain. We removed the tensioner anyway because it
did nothing.
Then Mazda started leaving off the whole assembly, as it was not needed.
They kept machining the flat spot and drilling and tapping the holes for years
after there were no more parts.
So now the chain is too long, but it has no affect on performance. The spec
is for droop when the chain is off the engine and held side ways to check for
wear in the link joints. Still doesn't matter. Even warn out they work just
fine. Up to 115 pounds of oil pressure. There is a tiny hole in the pump that
sprays lube oil into the pulley to lube the chain. Have never seen one break
since 1980.
Lynn E. Hanover