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Timing chain tensioner #2870567 01/07/21 05:31 PM 01/07/21 05:31 PM
Joined: Nov 2018 Posts: 7 ontario canada S sonny54 OP member
sonny54 OP member S Joined: Nov 2018 Posts: 7 ontario canada	I Is a timing chain tensioner worth installing. Small block 340. After installing a new roller chain there is still a slight bit of loose. I,m told that is common on some of the engines built back then. 1969. The tensioners I have seen seem to work best on the regular style chain not the roller. True or not true?. Thanking you in advance.

Re: Timing chain tensioner [Re: sonny54] #2870571 01/07/21 05:37 PM 01/07/21 05:37 PM
Joined: May 2019 Posts: 6,207 nowhere S Sniper master
Sniper master S Joined: May 2019 Posts: 6,207 nowhere	Originally Posted by sonny54 I Is a timing chain tensioner worth installing. Small block 340. After installing a new roller chain there is still a slight bit of loose. I,m told that is common on some of the engines built back then. 1969. The tensioners I have seen seem to work best on the regular style chain not the roller. True or not true?. Thanking you in advance. the tensioner came about for the chain harmonics seen on the 3.9l V6, which is essentially 3/4 of a 318. Nothing else, which ought not be an issue on the v8's, especially when you consider that Mopar didn't put them on the v8's of the same time frame.

Re: Timing chain tensioner [Re: sonny54] #2870669 01/07/21 08:49 PM 01/07/21 08:49 PM
Joined: Jun 2012 Posts: 1,899 MYRTLE BEACH SOUTH CAROLINA E ek3 top fuel
ek3 top fuel E Joined: Jun 2012 Posts: 1,899 MYRTLE BEACH SOUTH CAROLINA	Originally Posted by sonny54 I Is a timing chain tensioner worth installing. Small block 340. After installing a new roller chain there is still a slight bit of loose. I,m told that is common on some of the engines built back then. 1969. The tensioners I have seen seem to work best on the regular style chain not the roller. True or not true?. Thanking you in advance. prob. good without . they do make chains that are shorter.... usually for line bored blocks.... Last edited by ek3; 01/07/21 08:49 PM.

Re: Timing chain tensioner [Re: Sniper] #2870672 01/07/21 08:50 PM 01/07/21 08:50 PM
Joined: Sep 2014 Posts: 1,402 Central Pa M moparjim79 pro stock
moparjim79 pro stock M Joined: Sep 2014 Posts: 1,402 Central Pa	the tensioner came about for the chain harmonics seen on the 3.9l V6, which is essentially 3/4 of a 318. Nothing else, which ought not be an issue on the v8's, especially when you consider that Mopar didn't put them on the v8's of the same time frame. [/quote] Ok, maybe not the same time frame, but today most if not all modern engines utilize them. I realize mopar v8s have MDS, and perhaps chrysler engineers thought it would be a good additional benefit, or maybe there's more? And refresh my memory a second, did magnum v8s use tensioners?

Re: Timing chain tensioner [Re: moparjim79] #2870679 01/07/21 08:56 PM 01/07/21 08:56 PM
Joined: May 2019 Posts: 6,207 nowhere S Sniper master
Sniper master S Joined: May 2019 Posts: 6,207 nowhere	Originally Posted by moparjim79 Ok, maybe not the same time frame, but today most if not all modern engines utilize them. I realize mopar v8s have MDS, and perhaps chrysler engineers thought it would be a good additional benefit, or maybe there's more? And refresh my memory a second, did magnum v8s use tensioners? Most modern engines are OHC and the tensioners are there for the same reason, to control chain/belt harmonics. I guarantee if these modern engine didn't need it, the factory didn't use it. I haven't seen a Magnum use one either. Can you run one? If you want.

Re: Timing chain tensioner [Re: moparjim79] #2870680 01/07/21 08:57 PM 01/07/21 08:57 PM
Joined: Jan 2003 Posts: 27,450 So Cal autoxcuda Too Many Posts
autoxcuda Too Many Posts Joined: Jan 2003 Posts: 27,450 So Cal	Mopar SB has one of the longest cam to crank distances of all V-8’s Makes it tough on timing chains. I added one to a new build and you could see it on the degree wheel.

Re: Timing chain tensioner [Re: sonny54] #2870713 01/07/21 09:33 PM 01/07/21 09:33 PM
Joined: Jan 2003 Posts: 30,983 Oregon A AndyF I Win
AndyF I Win A Joined: Jan 2003 Posts: 30,983 Oregon	Originally Posted by sonny54 I Is a timing chain tensioner worth installing. Small block 340. After installing a new roller chain there is still a slight bit of loose. I,m told that is common on some of the engines built back then. 1969. The tensioners I have seen seem to work best on the regular style chain not the roller. True or not true?. Thanking you in advance. We tried the chain tensioner with a roller chain and the chain destroyed the tensioner fairly quickly. I think they only work with the stock type chain that has a flat smooth backside.

Re: Timing chain tensioner [Re: autoxcuda] #2870870 01/08/21 08:44 AM 01/08/21 08:44 AM
Joined: May 2019 Posts: 6,207 nowhere S Sniper master
Sniper master S Joined: May 2019 Posts: 6,207 nowhere	Originally Posted by autoxcuda Mopar SB has one of the longest cam to crank distances of all V-8’s Makes it tough on timing chains. I added one to a new build and you could see it on the degree wheel. I suspect that at speed the tensioner's effect on the LA cam timing would be minimal, if anything. It was the nature of the 239's odd crank setup that that cause the cam timing issues they were seeing. rather than come up with an even fire setup they just put in a tensioner to control the feed back from the firing impulses.

Re: Timing chain tensioner [Re: Sniper] #2871226 01/08/21 05:12 PM 01/08/21 05:12 PM
Joined: Jan 2010 Posts: 1,442 NW Chicago suburban area Mopar Mitch pro stock
Mopar Mitch pro stock Joined: Jan 2010 Posts: 1,442 NW Chicago suburban area	To my knowledge, the tensioner was only factory installed on the Magnum engines... NEVER on an LA engine. I recently built a stroker LA 360, and with the tensioner installed, I caught the site of physical interference of the front SLINGER hitting the lower corner pad of the tensioner. I had to carefully die-grind away about 1/8" from the bottom of the tensioner lower corner pad to have clearance between the SLINGER and the TENSIONER. NOTE: I later called Hughes Engine, whom I had purchased nearly all the parts for the engine, and described with pictures the interference... I was told, simply, that the TENSIONER was NEVER factory installed on any LA series engines. That kind of disturbed me... because there should have been a warning, or caution, included in the TENSIONER package when installing it... to observe for possible interference with the SLINGER and grind clearance to the TENSIONER lower pad if needed. Mopar Mitch "Road racers and autocrossers go in deeper and come out harder!"... and rain never stops us from having fun with our cars... in fact, it makes us better drivers! Check out MOPAR ACTION MAGAZINE, August 2006 issue for feature article and specs on my autocross T/A!

Re: Timing chain tensioner [Re: Mopar Mitch] #2871262 01/08/21 06:23 PM 01/08/21 06:23 PM
Joined: Sep 2014 Posts: 1,402 Central Pa M moparjim79 pro stock
moparjim79 pro stock M Joined: Sep 2014 Posts: 1,402 Central Pa	Originally Posted by Mopar Mitch To my knowledge, the tensioner was only factory installed on the Magnum engines... NEVER on an LA engine. I recently built a stroker LA 360, and with the tensioner installed, I caught the site of physical interference of the front SLINGER hitting the lower corner pad of the tensioner. I had to carefully die-grind away about 1/8" from the bottom of the tensioner lower corner pad to have clearance between the SLINGER and the TENSIONER. NOTE: I later called Hughes Engine, whom I had purchased nearly all the parts for the engine, and described with pictures the interference... I was told, simply, that the TENSIONER was NEVER factory installed on any LA series engines. That kind of disturbed me... because there should have been a warning, or caution, included in the TENSIONER package when installing it... to observe for possible interference with the SLINGER and grind clearance to the TENSIONER lower pad if needed. The package was meant as an upgrade not an add on to the factory assembly. When modifying existing systems, if you think that everything should be a mindless bolt on application, shame on you man. Last time I read, the site exclaims magnum engines and works on LA motors. "Works on"....

Re: Timing chain tensioner [Re: moparjim79] #2871276 01/08/21 06:47 PM 01/08/21 06:47 PM
Joined: Jan 2003 Posts: 7,475 Minnesota Hemi_Joel master
Hemi_Joel master Joined: Jan 2003 Posts: 7,475 Minnesota	I put one one my 392 early Hemi and it worked fine. I used a double roller chain, and the plastic guides of the tensioner looked like new when I tore the engine down after Drag Week. I was kind of expecting to see some wear, but didn't. [img]http://i.imgur.com/boeexFms.jpg[/img] 31 Plymouth Coupe, 392 Hemi, T56 magnum RS23J71 RS27J77 RP23J71 RO23J71 WM21J8A I don't regret the things I've done. I only regret the things I didn't do. "Wise men talk because they have something to say; fools because they have to say something. ~ Plato"

Re: Timing chain tensioner [Re: Hemi_Joel] #2871610 01/09/21 01:39 PM 01/09/21 01:39 PM
Joined: Sep 2003 Posts: 19,298 north of coder moparx "Butt Crack Bob"
moparx "Butt Crack Bob" Joined: Sep 2003 Posts: 19,298 north of coder	joel, did you put the tensioner on your engine because of line boring and not being able to find a shorter timing chain ?

Re: Timing chain tensioner [Re: moparx] #2871620 01/09/21 01:59 PM 01/09/21 01:59 PM
Joined: Jan 2003 Posts: 7,475 Minnesota Hemi_Joel master
Hemi_Joel master Joined: Jan 2003 Posts: 7,475 Minnesota	I put it in there because every time I take a used timing chain out it seems to have so much slop. I wanted to try and get the ignition timing as steady as possible. I'm not sure if the jiggly ignition timing issue is from timing chain flop or not but I figured I'd try it. It seemed to help Last edited by Hemi_Joel; 01/09/21 02:01 PM. [img]http://i.imgur.com/boeexFms.jpg[/img] 31 Plymouth Coupe, 392 Hemi, T56 magnum RS23J71 RS27J77 RP23J71 RO23J71 WM21J8A I don't regret the things I've done. I only regret the things I didn't do. "Wise men talk because they have something to say; fools because they have to say something. ~ Plato"

Re: Timing chain tensioner [Re: Hemi_Joel] #2871633 01/09/21 02:13 PM 01/09/21 02:13 PM
Joined: Jan 2003 Posts: 27,450 So Cal autoxcuda Too Many Posts
autoxcuda Too Many Posts Joined: Jan 2003 Posts: 27,450 So Cal	Originally Posted by Hemi_Joel I put it in there because every time I take a used timing chain out it seems to have so much slop. I wanted to try and get the ignition timing as steady as possible. I'm not sure if the jiggly ignition timing issue is from timing chain flop or not but I figured I'd try it. It seemed to help Same here. And same results. Like I said, we did degreed the cam with AND without the tensioner... it changed things. Last edited by autoxcuda; 01/09/21 02:14 PM.

Re: Timing chain tensioner [Re: autoxcuda] #2871676 01/09/21 03:04 PM 01/09/21 03:04 PM
Joined: Jan 2003 Posts: 4,139 Canada -- Posts: 4034 -Registe... 5 5thAve Doesn't care what this says anyway
5thAve Doesn't care what this says anyway 5 Joined: Jan 2003 Posts: 4,139 Canada -- Posts: 4034 -Registe...	It seems like opinions on tensioner always jump back and forth. When there were first started to be a lot of talk about them around 2001ish I asked about them and people said there wasn't any reason to run one and I never did thinking that chains lasted for years without it and I didn't like the thought of potentially getting any of the nylon worn or broken off it and ending up in the oil. Then for the longest time it seemed everyone was swearing by them. Now lately it seems that there's no solid answer on them. I think this is the first I've heard about them being problem with double roller.

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