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MG TD TF 1500 - Rombo Timing Chain

Just purchased a double row timing chain for my back up engine. The brand is Rombo. What swung me was that it states it was made in the USA. Anybody know anything about this company or the chain? Quality etc? Was it actually made in the USA or have I purchased yet another dud from the sub-continent? Cheers
Peter TD 5801
P Hehir

India Peter-
Has your new chain got straight side plates or fig.8 shape ,some sellers sell the wrong chain
Better with the straight sides for strength and also longer life of the tensioner pad
Their American series chains are supposedly a stronger, longer lasting chain than their euro spec chain
William Revit

I just purchased it Willy and it won't arrive for a few days at least. This is all the info that I have. It clearly states in the ad that it was 'Made in the USA'. Maybe their advertising laws aren't as stringent as ours? See E Bay pic. Cheers
Peter TD 5801

P Hehir

The picture is of straight side plates.
Let us know what you think of it’s quality once you have it in hand.

I’m getting ready to rebuild my engine, and have been taking notes of all these threads.
My engine Idles and revs well just lacks power, my compression is low between 83 to 90. I hoping for just rings and valves. Once I get it totally apart we will see.
G D

Peter:

I looked up Rombo Chain and discovered Rombo Chain is mainly manufactured at TIDC-India. Seem to be largely into motorcycle, agricultural, cement, food/pharmical, escalators. Strong, solid international global presence.

Cheers

Gary
79 MGB
Gary Hansen

G.D.: With compression in that range, a very LOW range, I would prepare myself for a very tired engine needing complete rebuild. I doubt that just rings and valves will do, and it is smart to do comprehensive fixes.

I would anticipate an overbore with new pistons, a complete valve job with new exhaust valves at least and perhaps new valve springs, polish and a 50/50 guess whether or not to turn the crank undersize, rod and main bearings, rebuild the rods, rebuild the oil pump (Butch Taras), rebuild the rocker gear (Rocker Arms Specialist), clutch and re-surface the flywheel with new ring gear, new timing chain if not new gears, cam and tappets, and completely balance the engine. Unless you have had it done in recent memory, I would have the generator and starter rebuilt, and the distributor re-done by either Jeff Schlemmer or Rob at British Vacuum Unit. There are lots of other things that can be wrong, but you will not know until you get there - head studs, flywheel bolts, etc.

Tom Lange
MGT Repair
t lange

GD I'll post a pic when I get it and let others with more experience than I make an evaluation. Willy the box on E Bay shows a figure 8 style illustration in red and the chain itself with straight sides. Gary Hansen's comment gives me cause for hope. Hopefully there's decent quality control with this Global brand, which is something that is sorely lacking with the major supplier of AM T Type parts. It was purchased locally which is also good for business in these days of Covid. Cheers
Peter TD 5801
P Hehir

An American made chain is not compatible with a British sprocket as the rollers on American chains are larger diameter than European or Japanese chains. The Iwis chain sold by Moss is a quality chain used in the old British motorcycle world.
Charlie
c mac quarrie

No argument from me about the quality of the Iwis chain Charlie. The Rombo is sold by an M.G. supplier of parts here as being suitable for use in XPAG/XPEG engines so I don't anticipate issues with fit. My query was about the quality of the Rombo product. Apart from the Iwis, I believe Moss also sell a chain of lesser quality. Cheers
Peter TD 5801
P Hehir

Most chain makers, including Rombo make varying qualities of chains for different uses, The problems arise when retailers buy the cheapest or incorrect chain for purpouse and sell it at who knows what profit for profits sake
Rombo Super chain, as your packet is marked is a good quality chain with full circle rollers--it'll be fine, never had an issue with parts from Ballingalls, they've got a good reputation to protect as well
During my working life I fitted quite a few Diamond chain kits(rombo) to Explorers which are notorious for gobbling up chains and never had an issue with them
I don't think the American/Brittish std thing is an issue as the timing chains are built for purpouse
willy
William Revit

Willy is right. I'm thinking like a motorcyclist who deals with bulk chain. No matter where a chain is made , if it's for a specific application, you would have to assume that the manufacturer got it right.
Charlie
c mac quarrie

Thanks guys. I'm certain I can install the Rombo Super with confidence. Great price too with free postage within Australia. Cheers
Peter TD 5801
P Hehir

Tom,

In your recommendations, you didn't cover valve seat inserts. I've had mine done with titanium. I've got abt 22,000 miles on this rebuild. So far no problems and compression in the 165 to 175 range.

Is this still the thing to do?

Gord Clark
Rockburn, Qué.
Gord Clark

Hey!! The upside with Rombo Chain, you will have no problem reaching the customer service hot line.

Cheers

Gary
79 MGB
Gary Hansen

Ha ha ha ha Gary--You get them there too eh. and there I was , thinking they had picked me out specially for my good looks

William Revit

Is there a business anywhere these days that doesn't use call centers in India or the Philippines? We don't just lose out on quality products but the communication is torture! Cheers
Peter TD 5801
P Hehir

This thread was discussed between 26/07/2020 and 29/07/2020

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