SL/R107: New timing chain increase power?
Thread Starter
Newbie
Joined: Aug 2020
Posts: 3
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'79 450SL
New timing chain increase power?
I have a 134k '79 450SL with the original timing chain. I'm going to change the chain and guides either way to be safe, but am curious if anyone has noticed an increase in power after changing out an old stretched chain? I got this car from my father in fairly poor shape and am doing a rolling restoration. It's down on power pretty noticeably, so curious if the old chain might be contributing to that?
Junior Member
Joined: Jul 2020
Posts: 70
Likes: 11
From: Monroe, GA
1985 380SL
When you get the cam covers off you will be able to see how much the chain has stretched by checking the cam timing marks against the crank. Generally speaking, late cam timing improves the higher rpm range, advanced improves the low end. If it is stretched a lot it could affect the off idle response.
