[2jmotorsports]

I read this entire thread and used it to evaluate my OE Carrera tensioners that were in the 83 SC motor I am rebuilding. I wanted to add my data points here as I think I ended up with good ones after evaluating and bleeding as indicated earlier:

1. The empty, still-oily tensioners had been sitting sealed in a small tupperware bin for a couple of years.
2. Cleaned them externally and checked for loose external check valve; no issues.
3. Tried to compress by hand. I could only compress about .200" by hand with tremendous effort. To collapse all the way down requires a C-clamp.
4. Clamped each one in a vise in the upright position and used an oil can to slowly fill the chambers. After the air inside the supply chamber reached cracking pressure the external check valve momentarily opened and sprayed a bit of oil and air. This happened about 3-4 times per tensioner then only oil flowed out.
5. Compressed piston all the way and released. Heard sucking sound and had to refill supply chamber.
6. Refilled supply chamber until all air was bled and only oil would flow out the external check valve.
7. Tensioners were firm and impossible to compress by hand at this point.
8. Compressed piston down to insert pin and noted it was very slow and difficult even with the C-clamp. The whole time oil slowly oozed out of the orifice.
9. Inserted pin and re-bled just in case.
10. Installed in the engine and pulled pin to hear a loud "TWACK" as the piston came up.
11. Did the screwdriver prying on the idler arm test and very difficult to move at all.

Based on the previously discussed criteria I think I am in good shape.