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Small block Timing Chain tensioneer help? #2403811
11/15/17 01:29 AM
11/15/17 01:29 AM
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Motown, Mi
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PAULS_340 Offline OP
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Does a tensioner have any drawbacks?


Still looking for LM29H1B415501, '71 Demon 340
Re: Small block Timing Chain tensioneer help? [Re: PAULS_340] #2403957
11/15/17 01:57 PM
11/15/17 01:57 PM
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Connecticut
FurryStump Offline
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This is one of those questions that you're going to get a bunch of first hand, very smart, very experienced people with exactly opposite opinions. I only fit the first hand experience thing, but here it is. I put one in and ran a new rollmaster chain with billet sprockets. Ran the car 3-4 years up until last winter and pulled it apart. The spring side guide was broken at the pivot, the flat spring slid down to the bottom of the cover between the bottom sprocket and the cover on disassembly. The spring had almost eaten its way through the cover. The guide was not worn through or oil starved. I will not run another tensioner.


best of 11.39 at 117 mph 1.60 60’. 68 340 S Barracuda Fastback F.A.S.T [IMG]http://i67.tinypic.com/2mnnnnt.jpg[/IMG]
Re: Small block Timing Chain tensioneer help? [Re: PAULS_340] #2403958
11/15/17 02:05 PM
11/15/17 02:05 PM
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Supercuda Offline
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Pretty sure a tensioner on a rollmaster timing set was belt and suspenders thinking.

Factory used them for a reason, almost no one here, myself included, is using it for the same reason. I am using one because it has been my experience that today's timing chains go slack too fast. tired of timing chain replacements on a yearly interval.


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Re: Small block Timing Chain tensioneer help? [Re: Supercuda] #2403967
11/15/17 02:17 PM
11/15/17 02:17 PM
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Connecticut
FurryStump Offline
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Originally Posted By Supercuda
Pretty sure a tensioner on a rollmaster timing set was belt and suspenders thinking.

Factory used them for a reason, almost no one here, myself included, is using it for the same reason. I am using one because it has been my experience that today's timing chains go slack too fast. tired of timing chain replacements on a yearly interval.

probably! I just got tired of worring about it, so I threw everything I could at it. I have no idea why it broke. smile


best of 11.39 at 117 mph 1.60 60’. 68 340 S Barracuda Fastback F.A.S.T [IMG]http://i67.tinypic.com/2mnnnnt.jpg[/IMG]
Re: Small block Timing Chain tensioneer help? [Re: PAULS_340] #2404016
11/15/17 04:13 PM
11/15/17 04:13 PM
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Supercuda Offline
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I understand, I'm doing similar but running an Edelbrock timing set, had great luck with those over the years.


They say there are no such thing as a stupid question.
They say there is always the exception that proves the rule.
Don't be the exception.
Re: Small block Timing Chain tensioneer help? [Re: PAULS_340] #2404385
11/16/17 04:15 AM
11/16/17 04:15 AM
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Porter67 Offline
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I like them although with limited use I dont know how they do with all chains over alot of miles.

In a weekend I can swap my rear springs, front coils, trans out of my street racer and go road racing with alot of on and off the gas from 2500 to 7500 and never a pop, snap, backfire, so I think they help.

Re: Small block Timing Chain tensioneer help? [Re: PAULS_340] #2404531
11/16/17 04:22 PM
11/16/17 04:22 PM
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Michigan
MarkZ Online boogie
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I ran one when I still had a 360. You could certainly feel the difference in the chain tension after installing it. Took it apart after 20k for a leak and it was still as tight as the day I installed it.


1987 Fifth Avenue - 512/518/D60
Re: Small block Timing Chain tensioneer help? [Re: PAULS_340] #2404843
11/17/17 05:12 AM
11/17/17 05:12 AM
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Aurora, Colorado
451Mopar Offline
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I put one on my 360, but don't have alot of miles on it, so I can't say how it will do with my roller timing set?
I have been told, the roller timing chains can wear groves into the plastic guide, where the stock chains are more flat on the outer side?

Re: Small block Timing Chain tensioneer help? [Re: PAULS_340] #2404906
11/17/17 12:04 PM
11/17/17 12:04 PM
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Connecticut
FurryStump Offline
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Maybe because I have a pretty rough idle. It's constantly slapping the guide back when a cylinder misses. Just a WAG. I have no idea, I had heard the groove thing, but also heard it would stop wearing when it got to the rollers. No grooves in my broken one.


best of 11.39 at 117 mph 1.60 60’. 68 340 S Barracuda Fastback F.A.S.T [IMG]http://i67.tinypic.com/2mnnnnt.jpg[/IMG]
Re: Small block Timing Chain tensioneer help? [Re: 451Mopar] #2404928
11/17/17 01:04 PM
11/17/17 01:04 PM
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Originally Posted By 451Mopar
I put one on my 360, but don't have alot of miles on it, so I can't say how it will do with my roller timing set?
I have been told, the roller timing chains can wear groves into the plastic guide, where the stock chains are more flat on the outer side?

someone on here posted a pic of this happening a while back, but i don't remember who that was. it was stated this happened fairly quickly, but after it did, it stayed the same for xxx amount of time. not sure if it was mentioned what became of the "excess" material.
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