Quote:
Originally Posted by Jeff Alton
Nothing wrong with mechanical tensioners. We have seen plenty of hydraulic later style tensioners fail….
Cheers
|
Yes sir. That is exactly right. Those of who have built a few of these engines understand that tensioner failure in the earlier engines was primarily a function of heat and harmonic vibrations created by old style tensioner/idler arms. In fact the oil fed tensioners offer more failure opportunities than hydraulic.
The problem with pressure fed tensioner failure promted Jerry Woods to make a kit to prevent tensioner collapse. Tensioners themselves balance out when proper (wide) idler arms are used. This engine has the Supertec idler update but factory ones work just as well.
Keep in mind that these engine vibrate and those vibrations create stresses. In this case on all the plumbing associated with pressure fed tensioners are at risk. There are 4 more crimps to leak, two banjo bolts that can come loose or break and the flimsy hard lines can break under the vibrational stresses. Then there is even a tiny o-ring trying its best to keep the chain cover from leaking. Simply put, it's a toss-up.
