Well. I can't say that this has been an easy path to travel,...and I'm still not there yet, but there is a light at the end of the tunnel.
I decided to copy Does10's method of making a roller chain for a SBF work on a 250. So I went out and bought a true roller set from Summit under their brand name.
What I got was a billet gear set w/ a built on torrington bearing on the cam gear that rides against the thrust plate, and a 9 position crank gear, all for the bargain price of 69.00.
Now according to what Does10's has done, he took his chain to a local guy that supplied him with the master link so that he could remove one link, and put the thing back together, effectively making the SBF 58 link chain work on a 56 link (250) application.
So,..I put a cheese sandwich and an apple in a knapsack,....tied it to a stick,...threw it over my shoulder,..and set off down the road to do the same thing.
Immediately hit a dead end. There is no "local guy" in Birmingham.
I went to the online road,.....found several companies that offered roller chains, and their components,..but again....ran into a road block. Seems that not all roller chains that fit a SBF are "one size fits all".
So I contacted Does10's to see what type of chain he had so I could send mine back, buy his type of chain, and use his guy to get the master link.
Although Does10's has been more than helpful,..he hasn't replied to my last question (which is a good thing anyway,....read on.)
I get back on the phone with the one online company that offered the most help and told her that I had given up trying to buy a complete chain, and could she just supply me w/ a master link for mine?
That conversation resulted in a referral to another number,...and that conversation resulted in a referral to another number.
The last number got me to PCI in Washington.
This guy knew what he was talking about. Here is a clip from his last email to me:
The chain you need is used in 1968-79 Toyota Corolla. The Corolla used a KC & 3KC engines and Japan made the chains as well as many countries. This roller chain was developed by the British many years ago and the technology was mostly developed in India prior to 21st century. You can probably find one at any “old auto parts repair shop or store”. The industry number is 3DR56 our part number is C2356. I happen to have a bunch, but three of them and the good India made chains. These are strong like Japan. In fact, even some of the better Taiwan chain is fine too. I have Taiwan and the 3 India. The India chain is what I think you will like the best. Both are solid bushed roller chain.
I can help you with what you need if you can’t simply locate one locally.
To buy one C2356 chain from us it will cost $15.56 plus UPS (maybe $13.00). Total about $28.50
Check locally first! Ask around for simply a “3DR56 Melling Chain” and say “or any brand” and if they have one, ask “where was it made”. Then ask if it is “continuous” or “endless” (has no connector link). Do not buy an open ended chain & do not buy a China or Taiwan in my opinion. It should not cost over $20.00 maximum in my opinion. Look on line too!
: Now why in the world would I go to "any old auto parts repair shop or store" and fight the idiot at the Autozone counter when I have the guy who knows what chain I need,...has the one he thinks is best,...and will sell it so cheaply,...I couldn't buy a stock chain for less? :
Can you see the look on the autozon guys face if I ask him where the chain was made, or whether it was a continous, or endless link design?
So I bought it from him yesterday.
Now, as opposed to having to cut a link, and use a master link to repair it with, I have an unmolested, continuous chain that should fit. That leaves me with the machine work bit of the equation,..I still have to drill the cam, turn down the nose of the cam so the sprocket will fit. Then turn down the nose of the crank, and make the necessary reference marks so I can install the thing and get it somewhere close to correct timing wise.
I decided to copy Does10's method of making a roller chain for a SBF work on a 250. So I went out and bought a true roller set from Summit under their brand name.
What I got was a billet gear set w/ a built on torrington bearing on the cam gear that rides against the thrust plate, and a 9 position crank gear, all for the bargain price of 69.00.
Now according to what Does10's has done, he took his chain to a local guy that supplied him with the master link so that he could remove one link, and put the thing back together, effectively making the SBF 58 link chain work on a 56 link (250) application.
So,..I put a cheese sandwich and an apple in a knapsack,....tied it to a stick,...threw it over my shoulder,..and set off down the road to do the same thing.
Immediately hit a dead end. There is no "local guy" in Birmingham.
I went to the online road,.....found several companies that offered roller chains, and their components,..but again....ran into a road block. Seems that not all roller chains that fit a SBF are "one size fits all".
So I contacted Does10's to see what type of chain he had so I could send mine back, buy his type of chain, and use his guy to get the master link.
Although Does10's has been more than helpful,..he hasn't replied to my last question (which is a good thing anyway,....read on.)
I get back on the phone with the one online company that offered the most help and told her that I had given up trying to buy a complete chain, and could she just supply me w/ a master link for mine?
That conversation resulted in a referral to another number,...and that conversation resulted in a referral to another number.
The last number got me to PCI in Washington.
This guy knew what he was talking about. Here is a clip from his last email to me:
The chain you need is used in 1968-79 Toyota Corolla. The Corolla used a KC & 3KC engines and Japan made the chains as well as many countries. This roller chain was developed by the British many years ago and the technology was mostly developed in India prior to 21st century. You can probably find one at any “old auto parts repair shop or store”. The industry number is 3DR56 our part number is C2356. I happen to have a bunch, but three of them and the good India made chains. These are strong like Japan. In fact, even some of the better Taiwan chain is fine too. I have Taiwan and the 3 India. The India chain is what I think you will like the best. Both are solid bushed roller chain.
I can help you with what you need if you can’t simply locate one locally.
To buy one C2356 chain from us it will cost $15.56 plus UPS (maybe $13.00). Total about $28.50
Check locally first! Ask around for simply a “3DR56 Melling Chain” and say “or any brand” and if they have one, ask “where was it made”. Then ask if it is “continuous” or “endless” (has no connector link). Do not buy an open ended chain & do not buy a China or Taiwan in my opinion. It should not cost over $20.00 maximum in my opinion. Look on line too!
: Now why in the world would I go to "any old auto parts repair shop or store" and fight the idiot at the Autozone counter when I have the guy who knows what chain I need,...has the one he thinks is best,...and will sell it so cheaply,...I couldn't buy a stock chain for less? :
Can you see the look on the autozon guys face if I ask him where the chain was made, or whether it was a continous, or endless link design?
So I bought it from him yesterday.
Now, as opposed to having to cut a link, and use a master link to repair it with, I have an unmolested, continuous chain that should fit. That leaves me with the machine work bit of the equation,..I still have to drill the cam, turn down the nose of the cam so the sprocket will fit. Then turn down the nose of the crank, and make the necessary reference marks so I can install the thing and get it somewhere close to correct timing wise.