Diagnosing a failed -89 Oil Pressure Fed Tensioner

[CBRacerX]

I've got two oil pressure fed tensioners for the classic 911 (-1989) engine sent to me by a list member. One is bad, one is good. They aren't marked and seem to have similar (very high) levels of effort to collapse the piston using a vice.

How can I tell which one is bad?

[Walt Fricke]

I can't think of how. If one lacks the external cap for the pressure spring and ball, that one would be bad, as the vice test won't be affected by that problem.

[E Sully]

While you have them out, you may want to consider the safety spacer.
Here is a thread about the safety upgrade spacer used for the Carrera tensioners.
Limiting Travel of the Pressure Fed Tensioners