Amount of pressure in chain tensioner?
 

How much pressure should a standard 911SC tensioner have? When removed should it extend all the way out and be very hard to push in? Also what if you depress it and it is soft at the very beginning ( first 1/8 inch ) and then gets stiffer? Any input would help. Thanks.

I usually use a 10 or 12 inch screwdriver to press them down then tap them is with a hammer.
Any softness or give in the tensioner and I wont use it BUT regardless I still collar the tensioner.
Bruce

Yes the internal spring makes the tension on the chain and extends them all the way when removed. They are fed with oil to dampen them.

They are soft for the first 1/8" after removing because when you removed them the spring expanded them and sucked in some air while expanding.
The 1/8" of soft compression you mentioned is the air pocket that squeezes out easily and then they get stiff when you're compressing them down to where they are still full of oil.

Slowly compressing them the rest of the way in a vise or whatever will squeeze the rest of the oil out of them and then only the spring tension will remain and they can be compressed relatively easily and you can put the proper pin or a roofing nail in the little hole to hold them compressed for reinstalling.