hi guys ( and gals ! ) im putting together a 350 for the chevelle and was looking at the old timing chain, before i whip it off to sort the cam out, there seems to be quite a bit of free movement/slack on the chain. does anyone know how tight it should be or what is considered acceptable, i would have thought something that crucial, the chain should have absolutely no slack or movement or when you accelrate or lift off the cam will be in the wrong place in relation to the crank ?????
any ideas ? much appreciated thanks......

they're usually pretty sloppy if they're the factory parts with high mileage. Wait'll you see one with the plastic gear teeth on the pot metal gear. Half of them missing....

A new performance one will be much tighter.

yeah they seem pretty cheap so i think ill pick one up anyway, this one dosnt seem to bad but wear is starting to show, looks good for a 38 year old motor though !!