I've got a new timing chain on my stock engine, and there is more than half inch of slop in the new chain on the new sprockets. I was under the impression it shouldn't move more than 1/8 in Max brand new. That's why I replaced the old one in the first place, it has pretty much the same amount of play.
there is a rubber tensioner in the cover, but even before I took it off there was about. 450" of play in the chain.
am I just overreacting? Any suggestions would be appreciated, thank you.

 

Did you replace the sprockets as well?

 

Yes, sprockets are new.

 

I've been thinking...can you smell the wood burning?...When I did my chain set, it was loose too. I was amazed that there didn't seem to be much wear after 200K miles. I replaced it because I felt the power was dropping off and thought maybe the valve timing had something to do with it, but no, no improvement. It was rings....

 

Honestly I just left it, I got a different chain and took measurements with digital calipers. It was exactly the same (within .003"). So I just left it, we'll see what happens. I did just replace the rings, valve lifters, rod bearings, and gaskets.

 

Was the tensioner worn down? I've never had a 4.0 chain cover off I'm not sure what it looks like

 

No, the tensioner looked brand new.

 

TrailerTrash, it's just a hard rubber shoe that holds the chain slack away from the cover. Nothing special.

 

that's what I was assuming it was.

This would have me majorly stumped. Ivd replaced timing sets on Small Block Chevys that were very worn/stretched and the new ones were tight as can be.

 

Yeah, sbc's will wear a hole in the side of the timing cover and still run! LOL! Had one with that ****ty nylon covered gear that did that!

 

I had an engine with that nylon gear crap myself. It was only worn down alot lol and quite loosey goosey

 

Well the 4.0 uses low pressure valve springs so the load on the chain is not that bad to really stretch it much. A high performance 350 is another story. Like you say though, the steel gearset I replaced it with barely fit.