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Timing Chain Tensioner Failure question?

I drove my 76 2.7 less than 2 miles yesterday at 25-30 mph, low rpm and as I got close to my driveway I started hearing a noise coming from the engine that I think may be a bad tensioner. I immediately shut it down when I heard the noise. I read this article (see below) and I'm praying that I didn't destroy the engine. How quickly will serious damage be done when a tensioner goes at the speed and duration I was doing?

Thanks

911 Timing Chain Tensioner Malfunction

By Roger W. Chaney
PCA Technical Committee Chairman

This is a frightening experience because some very expensive noises are heard from the engine when it happens. The sound is a medium intensity ratchetting which may or may not be noticeable at idle. The noise increases up to 2500 to 3000 rpm after which it disappears. There is a danger of slipping valve timing a slight amount if you run high rpm (over 5000) or load the engine heavily with this situation. There is no danger of throwing a timing chain off its sprockets or damaging the engine if you drive conservatively until you can correct the problem.

Open it up and find out if that's what happened.
Replace the tensioners if that's the problem and check/set the camshaft timing.
If nothing slipped you're probably OK.

Quote:

Originally Posted by timmy2 (Post 6818784)

Open it up and find out if that's what happened.
Replace the tensioners if that's the problem and check/set the camshaft timing.
If nothing slipped you're probably OK.

Great, hope you're right. No money left right now just paid 2nd daughters tuition bill.

Any news on the noise?

Quote:

Originally Posted by timmy2 (Post 6827650)

Any news on the noise?

Not yet, I'm a bit crazy at my job right now but hope to check things out in a week or so. Will keep you posted and thanks for asking. Still keeping my fingers crossed.

Quote:

Originally Posted by matt gineo (Post 6829409)

Not yet, I'm a bit crazy at my job right now but hope to check things out in a week or so. Will keep you posted and thanks for asking. Still keeping my fingers crossed.

Well I finally found the time to remove the engine and open things up. It was definitely the timing chain tensioner failure. Fortunately there was minimal damage, it looks like the valves on one side have to be replaced, everything else looks just fine. Cylinder heads, pistons, rocker arm etc. all look perfect. I'm going to replace all of the usual oil leak seals while the engine is out. l'll also clean and paint the engine compartment, sheet metal etc while I have access. Going to go with Carrera tensioners.

Some good news, I discovered that the Head bolts were replaced by the PO.