A Self-Lubricating Timing Chain Guide For Internal Combustion Engines

When it comes to the health of your engine and the longevity of your vehicle, there are many factors that must be taken into consideration. One of those crucial components is the timing chain guide, which plays a vital role in the proper operation of your car’s sprockets and chains. Abnormal wear patterns in the timing chain guides can indicate a problem with endplay between the camshaft and crankshaft or even problems with your engine oil pressure or tensioners.

While the majority of automotive manufacturers use toothed belts instead of chains, there are some that choose to keep with a chain-driven system due to its longer life expectancy. Regardless of the type of system your engine uses, a good quality, high-mileage replacement kit is key to maximizing the lifespan of your new components.

Timing chain kits and individual chain guides are designed to meet OEM performance standards and feature the latest in design and material technology. These parts ensure quiet, maintenance-free operation.

Timing chain kits are designed to include all necessary components for a full replacement. This includes the replacement of the chains, tensioners, guides and sprockets. Replacing all of the components involved in the chain system will allow you to get the most from your engine and extend its life.

The present invention relates to a self-lubricating chain guide acceptable for use in internal combustion engine roller chain timing systems. The chain guide is a polymer reinforced with imbedded carbon fibers in the form of elongated strands having a length, whereby the strands are oriented on the chain guide wear surface to be engaged by the chains as they move across said wear surface.

Specifically, the chain guide is a polymer such as nylon with a wear surface adapted to engage a roller chain in the form of an exterior convex surface. The chain guide further has a recess or depression on its inner surface, the center of which is oriented to receive an adjusting structure for positioning the guide relative to the chain during operation. The chain guide further has a transversely extending rib on the lower side of the body.

The chain guide is attached to the tensioner and camshaft through a pin that holds the lower side of the rail. This pin can be removed with a 10mm triple square wrench to allow the removal of the upper and lower timing chain guides and their associated bolts. After ensuring the new chain guides are in time with the camshaft and crankshaft, you can remove the tensioner pin and pull up on the locking wedge to retract the chain tensioner. Next, you can remove the old chain guide and replace it with the new guide. Lastly, replace the bolt that holds the chain tensioner to the top of the chain cover. Use a 18mm or T10172 wrench to hold the camshaft while you install the new guide on the lower end of the chain.