Opinion: Chain Tensioners on an 80 SC

[wannaporsche]

I'm currently having my engine rebuilt...and planning to keep it stock spec. However the garage recommended upgrading the stock chain tensioners to Carrera tensioners. I dug into the forum archives here on PP and found some mixed opinions about the value of this upgrade for a 1980 US 3.0 -- so I thought I'd post here hoping people will chime in with recent experiences either way. I'm trying to make a decision this week.

Thanks!!

[RDM]

One of the very first things I did when I got my Targa was to update the chain tensioners. The opinion that the older ones are better is a minority one. Not to say it's wrong.

I had to tear down my engine this winter for a broken head stud, and this is what I found deep down inside.



You don't find those on Carrera tensioners.

[dfk911sc]

Do the upgrade for the peace of mind...unless you have the "ear" for a loose chain.

[OsoMoore]

In my opinion, you should either change to Carrera tensioners, or if money is a significant issue, add chain guards. Not doing one of these invites sudden and catastrophic destruction of your engine.

[tharbert]

Upgrade or, at a minimum, rebuild the ones you have. I found the same broken collar bits in my sump, sheered almost just like RDM's. I bit the bullet and did the upgrade. If you watch the classifieds, they come up occasionally.

[Trackrash]

The original (old style) tensioners should be rebuilt. I was told every 40K miles. The collars will prevent damage if one of the tensioners fails. (in theory)

The Carrera tensioners will last much longer without maintenance. It is debatable if they are superior in function (what I have read). The bushings on the idler arms have something to do with dependability, I have read.

[tazzieman]

Though spendy , for long term peace of mind I went the whole hog plus Limiting Travel of the Pressure Fed Tensioners
Engine rebuild costs here are double what you guys pay stateside , so for me it was money well spent.

[wannaporsche]

As a minor correction to my original post, I just learned from the mechanic that my original tensioners were upgraded some years ago to 930 tensioners, but not the Carrera tensioners... so it seems there are 3 choices?

Obviously I'd never return them to stock, but are the 930s a reasonably reliable way to go? Trying to save some money for paint!

[Jack Stands]

There are folks that believe that some of the problem was the idler arm pivot was not large enough. Henry Schmidt at Supertec has a conversion that puts a larger bearing into the idler arms that may help. If you use the original chain tensioners, definitely out on the guard collars!

[tharbert]

Something to consider: Jerry Woods Mod
More Reading
Lots of anecdotal data