Elgin TC3083 timing kit experiences

Bought a new Elgin TC3083 timing chain kit for my Buick 455 and was hoping to put my car back together today. However, the new Elgin TC3083 timing kit has a too long chain, it was 25 links long instead of 24. The one that was on had 24 links and the Elgin chain on pictures has 24 so this one is clearly malmanufactured.

Otherwise, the gear that goes on the crankshaft came on easily but almost sat slightly loose. The gear that was on previously had such a tight clearance it barely got on. Estimating the difference between the two using a telescope gauge, feeler gauges and and calipers, it seems the Elgin gear has a bore that is 0.025-0.04 m.m. larger. This is more of a neutral observation, as the harmonic balancer should pinch this in place anyway (right?). This might even be positive as it makes the gear easier to come on.

The chain certainly seems weaker than the one that was on. Which doesn't say much, as the one I had on might have been creme de la creme before it wore out. On a side-note it says Made in England, wonder what brand was on. I guess what I want to say is that if I have the choice, I would go for another brand then Elgin for the timing kit next time. This happened to be the only kit I could find locally so far.

 

I don’t understand, you have the wrong timing set, but your using it anyway?
Call TA, I’m sure they have the correct timing set.

 

No, that timing kit was faulty so I returned it for a new one. I guess what I wanted to say is that if you want a very sturdy and trouble-free timing chain kit, given observations so far, maybe Elgin TC3083 shouldn't be your first choice. Over here it seems to be the only choice though, unless you want to wait 3-4 weeks and pay a lot for shipping

I would buy stuff from TA had their international shipping deal not been so overly expensive.

 

I’ve been out of the parts biz gor a few years but I’ve never heard of Elgin. The big brands I’m familiar with are Cloyes and Melling.
Patrick

 

Being where you live and the age of the car, you dont have many options, and getting the correct parts sometimes you have to pay the shipping and wait
Even in the States here, lately IF we get the correct part, most everytime its JUNK
Quality control has nosedived

 

Elgin has been around awhile, usually at chain parts stores.
I remember pricing lifters way back at a parts store next to a Montgomery Wards in Cuyahoga Falls
I believe they mostly do timing and valve train components.

 

Yes sometimes, bought the ignition system from overseas. But otherwise, no time to wait now, summer is arriving

For the record I got a new set of Elgin TC3083 today and this one had 24 links instead of 25. And it fits now, so I'm at least sure I counted right