The flow of air through your engine is controlled by a series of mechanisms that are driven by either a timing belt or timing chain, but what is the difference between them? Timing Chain: Timing chains were used exclusively throughout the early ages of the automotive industry due to their ruggedness, durability and simplicity. Most timing chains are roller chains made out of steel, similar to the type you would find in a bicycle or motorcycle. Steel’s hardness, tensile strength, and modulus of elasticity makes it a perfect material for a long lasting timing drive system in an engine. In an engine application the chains require a lubrication system to reduce wear and friction from the metal to metal contact between the rollers and the sprockets. The rollers themselves also need the lubrication to perform their key function (roll) as the chain rotates around various sprockets. You can see Nottingham MOT in our website. This helps to reduce friction and increase the efficiency of the drive system. Typically, a roller chain has an efficiency of around 97% which means that if it takes 9.7 horsepower to turn the camshaft(s) in your engine at a certain speed, then it will actually take 10 horsepower because some of the power is absorbed within the timing chain due to friction in the rollers.