Hello, and do I need to get Carrera Tensioners? (a little long)

scarletbegonias · scarletbegonias's Garage

Hello group, I thought I would introduce myself and ask a question. I've loved 911s since I was about 12 or 13. Had a good real estate deal last May and thought now was the time.

I spent the whole summer doing research at Pelican and checking out 911s. My dilema was that middle year 911s are my favorite body style and were in my price range, but I was a little scared of 2.7s.

In August I purchased a beautiful 1977 911S (I know Wayne, you say it's the worst year). It was in beautiful, original, condition with 110K miles, zero rust and was much nicer than any other one I checked out. Previously PCA member owned and supposedly had an Andial top end rebuild in the late 80s (although the seller didn't have any receipts). All it needed was rear shocks.

Had a PPI done by a local European car mechanic and it passed excellently - even wrote "nice car" in the final comments. Compression was 140-140-140-145-140-145. Didn't get a leakdown.

I found another local mechanic that specialized more in 911s and had them install the rear shocks. When I picked it up he told me "You got a good one".

So here's the question, finally. Do I need to upgrade to Carrera Tensioners now? I just do street driving and don't push it that hard. When I take it out of winter storage I want to drive it a few times a week, like I did from August to December.

Groesbeck Hurricane · 02-15-2005, 12:02 PM

I think it is a nice car!! Some might not like the colour, but I hate having exactly what everyone else has.

If it were me, I would update the tensioners. Many here suggest you add a safety collar to your existing tensioners. One or the other for an added level of safety.

The motor was likely already sorted out. Drive and enjoy! If nothing is acting up, why buy worries? Did I already say that I liked her and thought she seemed a nice example??

ruf-porsche · ruf-porsche's Garage

Get the collars instead of the Carrera Tensioners. Do a search on collars.

gerry100 · 02-15-2005, 12:12 PM

I think I saw your car at R&D, Glad it runs nice as it looks.

Took the opportunity to get mine out for a romp today since the rain washed the roads last night.

I don't think the 77s were galvanized , so you need to keep it out of the salt that they use so much of around here.

adamred · adamred's Garage

77's were galvanized. even on the street you should push it hard...took mine out today after about an 8 week sleep, she was so happy racing toward work at 55 in 3rd gear (legal speed, not being a moron...)

Enjoy your ride! be sure to join us this year on a NY-NJ-CT fun run....see last years pic here:

10/16 NY/NJ/CT Run - OFFICIAL PICTURE THREAD!

Bobboloo · Bobboloo's Garage

If it were me I would go with the safety collars for now $30.00 and put off the oil fed tensioners until it was time for a tensioner rebuild. By the way. The late 77' motors came with dilivar studs on the top and bottom row of the studs like the turbo motors and the cases fair quite well. I have one of these motors and it doesn't leak oil, imagine that. One more thing, 76' was the first model year that the whole shell recieved galvanizing. I believe that 75' had partial galvanizing as well.

jshape · jshape's Garage

If you do a search you'll find that many here on the board feel that tensioner failure is frequently the result of the older narrower idler arms binding on the stud. Collars and updated idler arms make lots of sense as a cost effective means of protecting your engine.

If you do decide to utilize your earlier tensioners and add new idler arms, you'll have to mill 10mm off the tensioner to accomodate the wider idler.

Bobboloo · Bobboloo's Garage

I think 77's have 930 tensioners and the appropriate arms but if not you can also buy spacers to use with the narrower arms.

Bill Verburg · Bill Verburg's Garage

Quote:

Do I need to upgrade to Carrera Tensioners now? I just do street driving and don't push it that hard. When I take it out of winter storage I want to drive it a few times a week, like I did from August to December.

Yes, definitely do the pressure feds and updated idler arms. For extra insurance(not likely that you will need it) do the Jerry Woods collars as well.