Cam Tensioner oil line doesn't match Cam oil line

[450knotOffice]

Guys, last week my '84 Carrera started leaking again. It turned out that my left oil tensioner line where it attaches to the left cam oil line was the culprit. No problem, I thought. I'll just replace it. I ordered the little metal oil tensioner line and picked it up this morning. This is where I've hit a snag. The new tensioner oil line has a slightly different bend, with fewer curves in it than the old line. Here's the pic:


The new one is on the left side of the picture, with the old one on the right side. Notice the different shape.

The result is that the fitting from the tensioner line no longer lines up with the cam oil line fitting. It's about 1/2 inch outboard. From what I can gather by looking at it, I believe that my mechanic buddy who fixed all of my oil leaks a couple of years ago replaced the cam oil line (because it looks pretty shiny and clean) while he left the old metal tensioner line.


I am willing to purchase the $37 cam oil line if I know that it will line up correctly with the new tensioner line.

Have those of you who have replaced either or both of these lines seen the older style vs. the newer style lines? Did you also have to replace both lines to make it all work? Let me know what you think guys.

Thanks.

[toddu]

Just my $.02, but not sure the new cam line will help. I got a new line and found it was slightly different then the old line, so my tensionor line didn't quite match up. It wasn't far off, but it was different. So, you may get the new line and it still won't fit (or perhaps my issue was my line was new but the tensioner line was "old").

I just finnesed my line so it fit.

Todd

[TimT]

Bend the new line to fit..

easy peasy

[burgermeister]

I'd gently bend it to fit. Just go easy so you don't cause any kinks.

Edit: too little too late ... I'll just +1 TimT instead

[Cooper911SC]

UM...late to party here...++++ for massage it.

Just did my SC lines with a little massaging.

Coop

[sc_rufctr]

Originally Posted by burgermeister

I'd gently bend it to fit. Just go easy so you don't cause any kinks.

Edit: too little too late ... I'll just +1 TimT instead

X2... It's normal for these lines to be slightly misaligned when new. Just bend it gentle by hand. Don't use any metal tools when doing this. It's important to get this right as it could put some strain on the rubber to metal seal on the cam line. They're notorious for leaking.

What I would do is attach the bottom union to the tensioner (snug but not tight) and then bend the top part to match the cam line. When tightening these joints be gentle but firm. The Banjo side (tensioner) is easy but the cam side requires a bit of finesse to seal. Not too tight on any of these joints! Also... Make sure you reinstall the support brackets. Sometimes so called mechanics don't put these back...

[jpahemi]

I had the same problem and found out that both lines were superseded.

jp

[450knotOffice]

Thanks guys. I would be willing to try to finesse the tensioner line a bit, but it's far enough off that I'd need to really bend it substantially, resulting in a high probability of a kink eventually - junking the new line.

By the way, I looked at the Pelican Tech article detailing converting from the older style tensioners to the newer Carrera tensioners and noticed the first picture in the series, which showed the new lines needed for the conversion. Interestingly enough, I noticed that the left tensioner oil line (the one on the far left in the picture) has the same bend configuration as my older line - in other words, it has an extra bend at the nipple that the newer line doesn't have (if you look at the pictures of the newer ones in the Pelican parts catalogue, that same bend is not there anymore - just like my new line).


I'm guessing that most of you guys replaced only one of the two lines simultaneously? Have any of you guys replaced them both recently? Jpahemi, it sounds like you had the same issue. Did you get the lines that match up reasonably closely eventually?

[TimT]

Really just make the line fit....

Its not that hard to do.... connect one end loosely.. and work toward the other connection. If you are worried about kinking the line, buy one of those tube bender from FLAPS... to help smooth your bends...

It should take you less than 5 mins to get that line to fit..

[TimT]

I was going to add where are you located because I would drop over and bend the line to fit.. but your in Cali and Im in NY

[B D]

Hi Scott, Just use a tube bender to match the curves so you won't kink the line. Harbor Freight has one for under $10 that works just fine.

[MotoSook]

I'll second Tim's recommendation about reshaping it to fit. It's just tubing it looks like it just needs to be stretched a bit. Thread the nut end into the top line, then pull or bend the banjo end to the tensioner. When you pull hold the srew end so you don't damage the top line.

It's really a non-issue. You could buy 5 lines and they would all be bent differently.

A tip: use a large socket to help you bend it. Reshape the tubing around the socket using it to help you so you don't slip and kink it.

[Scott Douglas]

Scott
I helped a friend of mine upgrade his '75 Carrera with the tensioner upgrade from our host.
The lines were a little tough to get to line up, but gentle persuasion got them all aligned and leak free. If you attach one end and work towards the other I don't think you'll kink it.

[450knotOffice]

Wow guys, I really appreciate all the help.

I've been searching all over this forum for recent pics of these lines and I found something very interesting. Fellow Pelican Gary H. replaced his lines on his '82 SC back in June of last year and he included closeup pictures of the job. Here's his line. See the big arc followed by the small bend in the opposite direction prior to the nipple.


Crucially for me, Gary also mentioned that the originally suggested part number - 930.107.347.02 was a different shape/length and didn't line up properly. Another poster in his thread mentioned the same issue and even included pics of the two lines, which looked just like my picture of my two mismatched lines (so it seems I'm not alone here) Anyway, Gary's local parts guy suggested 930.107.347.06 instead, which looked identical to his original line. He said that he then only needed to make the usual small adjustments to make it fit (as opposed to the almost full inch massage I'd need to accomplish with the .02 line I have). Here's the link to the thread. Go to post 17 and it goes from there: 1984-left tensioner to cam line replacement

Well, I just searched Pelican's catalog and found the .06 part is NLA and has been superseded by the .09 part, which looks identical to my original line.

I think I'll have my parts guy show me the .09 line. If it looks right, I'll trade my .02 line for the .09 line.

Pelican to the rescue again, as usual.

[450knotOffice]

Done!

Hey, nothing like actually having the right part. Once I traded the incorrect line for the slightly different correct one, it slid right on with no issues whatsoever. My engine is leak free again. Nice.

For reference, the correct tensioner line for the cam line was 930.107.347.09, which happens to be listed as a 964 part from '91-'92.

Hope this helps for those of you who might have to replace either or both of the oil cam and tensioner lines in the future.

[jpahemi]

Scott:

My line replacement went well. When I ordered the hard line, the rubber line came as well. First I thought I was being upsold, but after a little part # research, I saw the reason.

jp

[RoninLB]

I had a new line issue that required a real big adjustment so I called pelican on it. After them putting in some time searching their inventory with no luck I sent my correct/old oil line to them and they sent back a fine new line.

A simple bend is easy but when it gets to the point of "fix it or break it" it's time to call pelican. They were great and very patient.

[Wil Ferch]

I thought this was old news and that we all knew about the superceded changes. Here is what I posted earlier--->

=====================================

Be careful of right side part numbers...there were a few iterations and some don't fit very well with the old, existing lines you may have...

The following is courtesy of Bill Gregory/Rennlist, in response to some questions I had:

The left cam line, 930.107.347.03, was used 1984-1986. 87-89 used
930.107.347.04. The oil line that goes down to the chain case/left
tensioner is the same 84-89, 930.107.347.02. The other parts you
mentioned, 930.107.347.05 and .06 are the left cam lines and left
tensioner feed for the 3.6L 964 engine.

On the right side, from 84-86, the right cam hose is 930.107.348.07. The
oil pipe originally was 930.107.348.08 which is superceded by oil pipe
930.107.348.09, 930.107.342.01 support, 900.119.059.02 hex screw, and
999.511.174.02 clip. For comparison, 87-89 the right cam line is
930.107.348.11 and the cam line is 930.107.348.09 (the other parts were in
production at that point).


_________________

[450knotOffice]

Thanks Wil,

The left side was the problem for me. The tensioner line was the issue and it turns out there are TWO lines that will fit, depending on which cam oil line one has installed.

The two possible tensioner lines are: 930.107.347.02 (the one that didn't line up at all on my car) and 930.107.347.09 (which lined up perfectly on my car).

Thanks again guys.

[my911cab]

I replaced both lines recently. Your correct, the replacement lines are updated and both need to be replaced. If I recall correctly, the bottom line cost about 15.00. I thought about bending the old bottom line but the location of the nipple seemed way too far.