[Walt Fricke]

New chains?

If concerned, and the chain seems normally tight with these tensioners (and it should - see below), you could try smaller idler gears to compensate for the increased distance the cams are from the IS shaft due to the thicker cylinder base spacers. That spacing will also affect how the chain housing fits to the cam carrier with the big O ring. The O ring allows some misalignment, which you may not have noticed.

The oil in the tensioner has nothing to do with the tension it puts on the chain. The tension comes from the stout spring inside. The oil is part of the shock absorber (really spring vibration or harmonic absorption, which is why the Brits call shocks dampers) function of the tensioner. The same is the case for the pressure feds.

You could add a half link to the chain. But that might be too much - you don't want the idler arm too high up and close to the chain housing.

How about you plane each side of the guards so they are the thickness of the pinch bolt head? That should get you the clearance you need. No real magic in 1/8" exactly.

I've not seen anyone say they went to the trouble of making an equation: For every X increase in cam distance from IS shaft, you will get Y movement of the idler arm end, and Z increase in tensioner extension.

Is the issue the same both sides?