[Dave R]

So, I got my tensioners off, spacers made, and then started to put them together. Uhoh! I have different tensioners than what I've seen all over. Consensus was to get a new ford set so I did and the spacers work. I'm leaving the ratchet stop out. I know they say for racing only but if this falls apart, I'm not thinking this one piece is going to be want causes a catastrophic issue. That'll happen before. So, pics of my tensioners (that I find no part number or likeness anywhere on the net) and the new ones with spacers installed. I really think they could be slightly less than 0.2" but that's me. I'll go with what's recommended. Thinking though, Wouldn't it be better if the check ball was removed insode the tensioner as well so it could surely collapse onto the spacer stop to ensure it doesn't stay pumped or do they bleed down anyways?

 

[eschaider]

So, I got my tensioners off, spacers made, and then started to put them together. Uhoh! I have different tensioners than what I've seen all over. Consensus was to get a new ford set so I did and the spacers work. I'm leaving the ratchet stop out. I know they say for racing only but if this falls apart, I'm not thinking this one piece is going to be want causes a catastrophic issue. That'll happen before. So, pics of my tensioners (that I find no part number or likeness anywhere on the net) and the new ones with spacers installed. I really think they could be slightly less than 0.2" but that's me. I'll go with what's recommended. Thinking though, Wouldn't it be better if the check ball was removed insode the tensioner as well so it could surely collapse onto the spacer stop to ensure it doesn't stay pumped or do they bleed down anyways?

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Dave,

The reason for the spacer is to eliminate the need for the ratchet. A 0.200" long spacer will set the idle tension for the chains. When the engine speed increases and the chains begin to stretch, the engine oil system will project the plunger outward taking up the new found chain slack. When you let off the throttle and the engine speed decreases, the previous chain stretch disappears. If you have the ratchets in place they do not allow the chain to relax and will maintain chain tension as if the engine were at high rpm.

The net, net bottom line is the chains, and other expensive parts are unnecessarily abused by the presence of the tensioner ratchet in a performance focussed version of the engine. Even worse, when you shut the engine off while using a chain tensioner ratchet, the chain tensioner ratchets continue to tension the drive chain and pinch off the oil film between the cam's #1 journal on each side and the saddle in the head. That means at the next cold start, you have a metal-to-metal abrasion occurring until oil gets to the cam journal.

The cam journals are at the end of the engine's oiling system food chain and get oiled last. Because they get oiled last and because they are experiencing a metal-to-metal style of abrading contact, the bearing surfaces begin to accumulate surface damage. Eventually, the surface damage is sufficient to seize a cam, ruin a head and break a chain. At that point you will begin to destroy a significant number of other costly parts also.

The oil check valves in each tensioner are different and should not be intermixed or left out. They are a key part of a successful operating tensioner.

 

[Motorhead4Ever]

Hey Dave --your install looks great-- I waited for Ed to answer your question about the check ball-- I was clueless for the answer to that. I have two of those unmarked tensioners too and they came off of a 93 Mark VIII 4 valve engine that I parted out . Don't get why Ford would opt to put in unmarked tensioners but I guess they figure that anyone taking them out would mark them if planned for later use. Good call on going with new tensioners- just makes good sense while the cover is off.

Can Do

 

[Dave R]

Exactly. I do see how the spacer holds the tensioner to a point just under tension of the guide so it'll do fine. Those old ones I have would still work but I played around with them and I ground 4 teeth off the ratchet part. They actually need 5 off to keep them within the limits of the new tensioners. I bet they were the first iteration and they had limited quantities before they went to the new style. I left the ball valves in as built. I think they have to bleed down at some point but it is interesting to ponder. The ratchets were my problem. With the added chain slack at the higher RPM shifting, they would ratchet out another tooth and then not go back in. Then the cams were too tight on the startups we did on the dyno. We'll see how this setup does.

 

[eschaider]

The issue with the oil checks in the bottom of each lifter is proper tensioning. The oil supply for the driver side comes off the main pump feed before it enters the main oil gallery. The oil supply for the passenger side comes off the main oil gallery at the far end of the galley after everything else in the engine including all the lash adjusters in the passenger side head have been oiled. The different bleed-down valving reflects the different positions each tensioner has in the engine's oil feed and delivery system. One tensioner is at the front of the oil feed line ahead of everyone else and the other is at the end of the oil feed line after everyone else. The different check valve performance is designed to make them operate as if they were being fed from the same position in the engine's oiling system.

 

[Dave R]

Well that explains the difference. The old style I have are identical in every way possible. Maybe that's the reason for the change to the newer style.

 

[eschaider]

It is hard to say without more information but that is a good bet.

 

[saltfever]

Is there some way the whole thread can be saved and printed instead of clicking on each individual page? Some forums have a function that allows saving as a text file which strips out all the HTML formatting and other stuff that make editing tedious. Any simple way save valuable information?

 

[eschaider]

Not that I know of Kirk but that does not mean one does not exist. Let me sniff around a bit and see if I can get a better answer.

 

[eschaider]

Kirk,

I checked with our Grand High Wizards and they inform me there is no way to do this.
I had hoped to have better news for you but not his round.

 

[saltfever]

Thanks, Ed. Some stuff is just too important to leave out in the ether. I have a DOHC binder that I hope will come in handy someday! LOL

 

[eschaider]

I know the routine well, Kirk. I'm one of those binder types myself. Don't forget the TToC that Screamn03 started way back when. It is probably the motherload of all things Terminator.