Cam chain

I don't think I need to replace the cam chain yet but at 37,000 miles, I will some day.

Has any had first hand or second hand experience with a cam chain failure using one with a master link?
I don't know a single person who has had a cam chain with master link failure nor do I know anyone that has had a cam chain failure.

What is the consensus here about this?
I can't imagine a modern, well made master link breaking, nor one with a do it yourself peened set of pins, but.... !!??

No first hand experience, but if you use a chain that is not the endless type I recommend you use one that must be peened, not anything with a master link clip (if they even make such a thing), and I would have it professionally peened using the proper tool.

I say this because I had a master link clip disappear from my drive chain for no reason. It was facing the correct direction, it was installed correctly, it never rubbed on anything, etc. I lube my chain about every 300 miles and during that maintenance I saw the clip was gone. The master link was still perfectly in place and the removable side plate had not shifted at all, but that clip wasn't there anymore. I can only assume that the clip fractured due to stress and fell apart. Not a big deal on the drive chain since I was able to replace the clip before any harm was done.

However, if that happened to a cam chain there's not only the risk that the cam chain would eventually come apart before the problem was discovered; there's the very high risk that the clip might end up causing damage to moving parts inside the engine. Ed

I had one fail in the late 70's. Bent valves etc. I replaced it with a heavy duty one with a peen over master link. Did fine until after the wreck. I put in a stock chain until two years ago when I got Bossie back on the road. From what I understand, the new ones are a simi press fit. Being how difficult it was putting the master link on my 630 chain, I don't it's a issue anymore.
Steve

I have 10k miles on my cam chain with master link. It was the kind that you peen. I bought the tool to peen it and it's pretty easy.

I've done it both ways, endless and split the cases, or from the top with a link. They both work fine as long as the rivet is done right. I used a vice as an anvil and punch to peen it.

The 'auto' tensioners often stick on some models and can be mistaken for a worn camchain.

I used the masterlink type and never had a problem.