GlockGuy

Just picked up a consulting job that will allow me to do the double chain conversion on my 1981 380 SL if it needs the work.

The previous owner claimed that he replaced the single chain in July 2016, but didn't have any paperwork to document that statement. I'm planning a trip from Utah to N.Y this fall and want my mechanic to check out the tension on the current chain. I'm concerned not only about the chain but the guides and tensioners. I don't want to be in the middle of Iowa and have something like that break. While he's got the rocker covers off should I just go ahead and do the conversion, or just make sure everything looks okay?

The car has new shocks and front end work, tires, fuels pump, transmission mount, and center driveshaft support. I've also had the fluids all changed from front to rear. Car has 121k on the clock.

Anyone have any experience with this dilemma?

Thanks

myway

Conversion is expensive. Best done with the engine removed. To remove the timing chain cover the oil pan has to come off. You need to check if all the gears are available. List I heard the distributor drive gear was not.

A member on another forum had this done four or five years ago for around $6,000.00. Prices have increased sharply since then.