hydrolic tensioner upgrade input needed

[NiceT]

I have just purchased a 73.5 T that has 52,000 original miles on it. It has never had the tensioner upgrade. I am planning to have this done soon but need to know what to ask/tell my mechanic to insure I get the correct set-up. Having had an early 911 before that had a catostrophic valve train failure resulting in a blown motor, requiring a replacement case and a $14,000 bill (luckily this was before I owned it). I know the importance of this upgrade but is it 100% necessary. My driving style is quite sedate in this special car but I know that is no way to avoid the potential problem. I just want to make sure I don't wind up with the situation Nigel911 is in now based on his recent post "value please" due to a major problem developing 9 miles from picking his car up from haveing the upgrade. Bring on the advice! Thanks in advance. Daron

[Bill Verburg]

You need the tensioner kit and the wider 1980 up idler arms
930.105.509.00 left idler arm
930.105.510.00 right idler arm

They used to be ~$50/ea don't know if those #s are current, I am sure the price isn't

also use 5 black ramps 911.105.222.06 and 1 brown ramp 911.105.222.05, brown goes on lower right side

[MikeSid]

The tensioner update is not "100% necessary". You can obtain the same (if no more) measure of failure prevention by using collars on the tensioner shafts. The collars prevent the stock tensioners from collapsing completely in the event they fail.

There is much debate on this subject and you could probably find a few threads that address this issue. So you might want to search the archives of this board.

Some will tell you the Carrera tensioners are just as prone to failure as the non-oil fed tensioners. Some will warn you that the screw in the collars might make it's way out and cause damage. In the end, after reading...say...a dozen or so threads on this issue, you'll come to your own conclusion.

FWIW, I have the Carrera tensioners on my 69T, but if they weren't already there when I bought it, I'd simply add the collars. You can find both parts in Pelican's catalogue.

[ruf-porsche]

Read this thread

Feel my pain

[ed martin]

As of late seems like the wisdom of installing the hydraulic tensioners has been drawn into question. If you think about it, there are many more elements in the hydraulic system and consequently more potential of failure in any part of the system. The original tensioners on the other hand are much simpler and can fail one way. With the saftey collar, very inexpensive and easy to install, you eliminate that potential. The Carrera hydraulic upgrade sure looks nice and sounds nice, but in the end perhaps with the old school tensioners, simpler may be better.

[nigel911]

I have been advised by my legal counsel to refrain from making comment at the present time.

Joking aside, whatever you do - I hope it all works out good.

All the best.

[Bill Verburg]

As of late seems like the wisdom of installing the hydraulic tensioners has been drawn into question. If you think about it, there are many more elements in the hydraulic system and consequently more potential of failure in any part of the system.

Nonesense, if you think that a few anacdotal posts about the hyd. failures proves that they are unreliable you have a lot to learn.

the old style tensioners will always fail, it is not a matter iof if but when, this is only anecdotal but I went through 2 sets in 7yrs on my '72, virtually every one I know w/ the olde rtensioners have had at least 1 failure.

a few have posted about issues w/ the hyd., how about the thousands that haven't had any issue that haven't seen any need to read let alone post about them.

the hyd are a proven good solution to a major headache.

If you are the type to wear belt and suspenders then by all means also put he safety collers on, they can't hurt.

Solid tensioners are only recd for a pure race car. and even then I question the necessity.

[LeRoux Strydom]

I just did the upgrade on my SC. One of the old tensioners was going soft already, so I just caught it in time. There was visible wear on one chain ramp.

The majority of failures are apparently caused by binding of the idler arm bushing rather than the tensioner collapsing, so be sure to fit the newer style idler arm with the wider bearing surface. Do not re-use the old idler arms with the spacer.

LeRoux

[ed martin]

Bill, A few years back I had the experience of having my old style tensioners fail. Replaced with Carrera tensioners, have not had a problem since. All I'm saying is that I'm seeing an increasing amount of posts regarding the issue of hydraulic style failures, and a lot of questions regarding their reliabilty. Makes me kind of worry about the tensioners I have in place. For a long time is has been maintained that hydraulic tensioners were the ultimate bullet proof solution. There just seems to be an increasing volume of evidence to dispute that. Sure all the stories are anecdotal, but that's all we really have to go on for now. You say you've had two bad experiences with the old style and the hydraulic ones solved the problem. That's great, that just gives me more data to make a more informed decision.

[spooldup]

I just got a set of safety collars for one of my 911s only to find it already had a set on it.brand new paid 30 bucks plus shipping-gimmie 25 for them and I will pay the freight if you want them.post reply here, I have trouble with PMs here sometimes or email me rennman@verizon.net

[sammyg2]

Do a search, everyone has an opinion and they vary a great deal. Do not take one individual's word for anything, unless his initials are JW.

After you form your own opinion, apparently the appropriate thing to do is then call everyone else's opinion nonsense