Can Tensioner Upgrade Wait?

[1yearonLy]

I bought a 911L that I'll be bringing home next weekend (350 miles). It does not have the Tensioner upgrade but I've read that if I take it easy I run no risk of damage. Is this true?

Thanks.

ps I plan to add either the stops or do the oil-fed upgrade when I get her home.

[s_wilwerding]

It doesn't make any difference how hard you drive it, the tensioner could still fail. However, the chances of it happening in a short time period are relatively slim.

Make sure to do the update as soon as possible, though, to minimize the risk.

[targa911S]

My 70 S has the original tensioners in it at 98, 000 miles....you got time.

[IROC]

I don't think "taking it easy" will make any reduction in the chances of tensioner failure or of the damage if the tensioner does collapse. I'd chance it, though, unless you have some indication that the tensioner is questionable now.

BTW, I installed the guards on my old 2.7's tensioners with the intention of adding the Carrera tensioners later. I asked Bruce Anderson point blank once if he had ever seen any damage result from a collapsed tensioner that had the guard installed and he said no. I never added the Carrera tensioners, needless to say.

Mike

[howie944]

I've heard that the "stops" do their job and do prevent engine damage. But I have also heard that because of the way they work if you do have tensioner failure with them installed you may not even know the tensioners have failed. Not that I'd ever want to find out the "hard way"! I do have the presure feds just haven't got around to installing them yet. On the top of my "to do" list though.

[LeRoux Strydom]

I'm waiting for the next oil change and valve adjust to come up before I will drop my SC's motor to install the Carrera tensioners and fix a few oil leaks. I will also install the later style idler arms, another worthwhile upgrade while you're in there. 140k miles, tensioners fixed once before with the original style. I agree that it does not matter if you take it easy or not - just do not rev the cr@p out of it. A trained mechanic should be able to listen to the engine and tell you if the tensioners and/or chain ramps are going bad. You should be able to hear the death rattle of a collapsed tensioner quite clearly - I'm led to believe it is a horrible sound. I have never heard this myself, though. Even then, you will have no further damage if the chains do not skip a tooth on the sprockets. Just do not drive the car any further!

Get Wayne's 101 and engine rebuild books. Both have very clear descriptions of the tensioner upgrade.

LeRoux

[1yearonLy]

Lets just hope I make it home with no trouble. Then I'll add the stops at the very least.

Thanks for the info here guys.

By the way, where can I get those stops? I notice the oil-fed kits are only for 1969 and later engines.

[scottb]

Scott: Welcome to the club! I'm in Northridge.

Scott

[B D]

Congrats on the new car! I myself just picked up a '68 911L a few weeks ago. There are very few members with early early cars (65-68) on the forum, so I have a few Q's for you. Does your car have a fuse box cover, I don't have one and there seems to be no place for one to connect? Also does your ignition key fit the glove box mine does not? Keep in touch cross referencing our cars could save both of us alot of time researching.

[1yearonLy]

Thanks for the welcome Scott and BD. I pick up the car in 1 week so I'll have more details to report. I spent about 2 hours going over it and I took quite a few pics but I don't have those answers.

I'm sure I'll be all up in this list with posts once she's home and safe. I am VERY excited for next weekend. One thing I need to find is the rubber round thing that goes around the ignition switch. Does anyone sell those??