Timing chain

[GN]

Whart are the signs of a timing chain going bad on a 318?

[flyinlow]

Not really any good signs. They don't make noise.   If it jumps just one tooth it will probably still run , more than that it's dead in the water.

Mopar's where not as bad as GM. I have only had one go bad on a '72 440. 

[birdsandbees]

Plastic pieces in the oil pan from the gear teeth is generally the first sign...

[myk]

Wouldn't timing be way off, too?

[68charger440]

When I had that happen to me, I found the plastic pieces in the pan also.

[GN]

Would the motor still run if it jumped? I had to hold the throttle open a little way to keep it from stalling. I will be looking for vacuum leaks too.

[flyinlow]

Maybe.... If it was one tooth the cam and ignition timing would be retarded about 20-30 *. 

The cam gear is coated with plastic (nylon?) . If enough breaks off the chain can jump. Like others have said, drain the oil look for pieces of plastic.

Does the engine crank normally?   If it is out of time it will not have proper compression and crank faster than normal ,possibly erratically.

[heyoldguy]

Put a wrench on the crankshaft bolt and rotate the crank slightly back and forth. If the timing chain is really bad there will be a bunch of slop before the chain catches the cam gear.

[c00nhunterjoe]

Or put a timing light on it. If the mark is jumping around, the chain is probably loose.