Should Carrera Chain Tensioners be Replaced?

[jmh61]

I'm in the middle of my engine rebuild. Car is an '86 Carrera with 175,000 miles. It has the original chain Tensioners in it. Never had any problems with them. Should I replace them while I'm in there or just keep running them?

[Walt Fricke]

I wouldn''t. They have been bathed in pressurized oil all their lives, and just go up and down - not really any side loading.

You could always do the Jerry Woods modification, which prevents them from collapsing more than just a little bit if one goes sour, if really concerned.

When it comes time to put them back in (or right now, getting ready and seeing what you have), you should have to compress them with a vice in order to stick a nail or whatnot into the keeper hole. They should compress rather slowly, with a little oil oozing out of the side of the piston top. If that's what it takes, I'd say they are fine.

If they are very easy to compress, or one is a lot easier than the other, now you have something to consider dealing with.

[haycait911]

Originally Posted by Walt Fricke

I wouldn''t. They have been bathed in pressurized oil all their lives, and just go up and down - not really any side loading.

You could always do the Jerry Woods modification, which prevents them from collapsing more than just a little bit if one goes sour, if really concerned.

When it comes time to put them back in (or right now, getting ready and seeing what you have), you should have to compress them with a vice in order to stick a nail or whatnot into the keeper hole. They should compress rather slowly, with a little oil oozing out of the side of the piston top. If that's what it takes, I'd say they are fine.

If they are very easy to compress, or one is a lot easier than the other, now you have something to consider dealing with.

what he said. put in the safeties and run 'em.

[E Sully]

http://forums.pelicanparts.com/911-engine-rebuilding-forum/448877-oil-fed-tensioner-modification-add-spacer-survey.html
Limiting Travel of the Pressure Fed Tensioners

[jmh61]

Thanks guys, I'll try the safeties.