Another chain tensioner question

83911sc · 05-20-2002, 03:39 PM

All the recent chatter about upgrading to the pressure fed tensioners has made me really nervous. I've got an 83 sc with nominal service records and 105K mile. (i.e. the pop off valve was installed, but there were no records) The limited records that I do have show a bill for $1,700 with "Garten Steel" some german words and "oil lines". I think that this may be repairs for leaking oil tubes since get this - I have NO LEAKS!! But I'm not sure if I'm lucky or if that is what this repair was.

Is there an easy way to tell if the upgrade has been made? I've read my dog eared copy of 101 projects, but with my lack of mechanical experience I can't tell from the pictures about determining if its already been done.

Thanks for the info

Adam

rstoll · 05-20-2002, 03:50 PM

Look for these oil lines disappearing into chain housing covers.

Erakad · Erakad's Garage

This is a problem I too have wrestled with on my 83 SC. Being a newbie also, I've spent many an hour peering around AC brackets, and distributors/air pump brackets trying to make this determination. My conclusion was there has to be a "T" in the oil lines that go behind the air pump/distributor and AC bracket. You can actually get a hand on the one that goes behind the AC bracket and actually with a flashlight can get a fairly decent look. From what I've read and pictures I've seen, no "T" in the oil line means no chain tensioner upgrade.

Doug E · 05-20-2002, 07:27 PM

Like rstoll said, just look for oil lines going into the chain housings.

If they are there you can't miss them!

Early_S_Man · 05-20-2002, 07:32 PM

Let's try a little bigger pic ...

If you have oil lines to the cam towers with 'Tee' junctions in the middle ... then you have the pressure-fed tensioners!

83911sc · 05-20-2002, 08:32 PM

thanks guys - now cross your fingers and hope that I find that beautiful T fitting so that I can spend the $ for new tires