cam timing tensioners
 

Any reason why you can't use the regular tensioners when doing cam timing? They must be as close as you can get to regular tension compared to the other tools.
Thanks
Alan

I use the regular tensioners all the time. As internal temps change so does the chain length.
Bruce

I can't see why not. So why do people go to the trouble of vise clamps and special tension tools?
I just spent half a day making up a tool for the RHS :-(
Regards
Alan

As long as there is no slop in the tensioner.

Presumably if they are doing the job in the engine, they will be adequate, slop wise, for cam timing?
Thanks john.
Alan

Excerpt from Vol.I of the Workshop Manual -

http://i197.photobucket.com/albums/a...ps6nhndj6j.jpg

So, I just used the engine tensioner for the LHS. Worked fine, but there were a couple of issues.
1) If your lock pin ends up in the 5-7 o'clock position you struggle to get at it with a spark plug
2) I had to remove the tensioner again to torque the bolt. (not really a biggie)
I used my special tool for the RHS (since I spent half a day making it and that side has always given me grief tensioning). I have til now used Waynes methods which don't use the engine tensioner.
I can see there may be some advantages to not using the engine tensioner as long as you have access to other tools.
Regards
Alan