Mystery Spacer

[echrisconnor]

I was pulling apart my chain boxes and tensioners the other day. In the car are the old-style idler arms and old-style tensioners (like those in the attached parts diagram). Placed between the idler arm and tensioner was a spacer ring. This looks like the ring shown as a required piece when using Carrera oil-fed tensioners with old-style idler arms. However, I didn't think there was a spacer there when using all old parts, and it isn't shown on the parts diagram.

Any ideas?

[Early_S_Man]

Chris,

That spacer was actually a factory part -- and a very, very bad idea! It was shown in part diagrams for retro-fitting the '930' style tensioners [or later, Carrera tensioners] to earlier engines without replacing the idler arms with the two-bushing version!!!

[echrisconnor]

So, I likely have 930 tensioners in there? I'll be putting in the Carrera tensioners upon reassembly, however I may be reusing my old non-bushed ilder arms. I that case are those the same spacers?

[RPMClassic]

Isn't it also used on engines that have been machined during the rebuild process to ensure proper alignment for the chain. Otherwise the chain will slap on the housing when it gets warm and stretches. Example.....in BA's book on 2.5 liter motors, he warns of this happening. Just my 2 cents.

[echrisconnor]

RPM, are you talking about shorter idler arms? Isn't that what BA talks about for situations where deck height has changed and the chain gets too long.

Final question: Are these spacers the same width as the ones used for the carrera tensioner/old idler combination?

[Early_S_Man]

Chris,

The Carrera tensioner/old idler arm spacers are 10.0 mm thick.